SNEAK PEEKJirga ʻdispensesʼ justicebut at the cost of humans

Justice in Pakistan'stribal border areas is acontested issue. “We arequite clear what justice is.If someone kills, commitsadultery or some other

offence, they deserve to die,” said JavaidKhan of the Utman Khel tribe in BajaurAgency, reports IRIN, a news service ofthe UN office for the Coordination ofHumanitarian Affairs.

Page 05

Little audience forZero Dark Thirty in Pakistan

Pakistan stars in ZeroDark Thirty, from earlyscenes at a detention siteto the dramatic closingminutes as Navy SEALsassault the hideout of

Osama bin Laden. But the AcademyAward-nominated film about the hunt forthe Al-Qaeda leader has sparked acontroversy.

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Cook sparkles as Englandscore easy win over Kiwis

Alastair Cook's patientknock of 78 anchored awell-executed Englandrun chase of 270 to beatNew Zealand by eightwickets in the second

one-day international at McLean Park,levelling the three-match series at 1-1 onWednesday.

Page 11

SC rejects Fasihʼs requestDismayed SupremeCourt sought details of ajudicial commissionreportedly formed byPresident Asif Ali Zardarito examine and review a

strongly-worded letter written by NABChairman Admiral (r) Fasih Bokhariaccusing the superior judiciary ofinfluencing the Rental Power Projectsscam investigation.

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VOL V, NO. 308 I RABI-US-SANI 10, 1434 I www.thespokesman.pk I PRICE RS. 10/-

THURSDAYFEBRUARY 21, 2013

DR ASIMIN THE DOCK

PG I 03TODAY’S WEATHER

A couple of showerHIGH: 21 LOW: 10

PG I 07

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD DAILY PAGES 12

LOOKING BEYONDTHE BOX– SYED BAKHTIYAR KAZMI

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BRINGING GWADARBACK TO LIFE– AARISH U. KHAN

SAHTAK BALOCH

ISLAMABAD: Iran has agreed tosupply natural gas to Pakistan at adiscount price while Pakistan hasshown its willingness to changecertain provisions of the draftagreement pertaining to constructionof 781-km-long pipeline - to be laid onPakistani side.

The two countries have also agreedto set up an oil refinery at Gwadarport, which will refine 4-lac barrelcrude oil per day, the agreement tothis effect will be signed duringforthcoming visit of President Asif AliZardari. Pakistan is also all set toimport 10,000 ton per day Liquefied

Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Iran.Last week the crucial talks between

Iranian firm Tadbir Energy andPakistan's Inter-State Gas Systems(ISGS) was postponed due toPakistan's demand to reduce gas pricefor Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline to bringit at par with the rates finalised inTurkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project.

To resolve the minor differencesahead of finalising a dealconcerning the $1.5 billion Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project,Iranian Minister for Petroleum Mr.Rostam Ghasemi Wednesday calledon Advisor to Prime Minister onPetroleum & Natural Resources Dr

Asim Hussain here at his residence.During the meeting, IranianMinister for Petroleum told theAdvisor that Tehran would reviewthe bilateral Gas Sales andPurchase Agreement (GSPA) owingto the persistent demand ofIslamabad to reduce the price ofgas planned to supply to Pakistanby December 2014.

Dr Asim Hussain also assuredIranian Minister for Petroleum thatPakistan will introduce certainchanges in the legal points of draft ofEngineering, Procurement andCommissioning (EPC) agreementpertaining to construction of 781-km-long. And, the signing ceremony of IP

gas pipeline project agreement wouldbe held till February 27 expectedly inPakistan, said a well-placed source inthe Petroleum Ministry.

The official further said the greatgurus from both the sides have alsoreviewed the fifth days long talks heldlast week between Tadbir Energy andPakistan's Inter-State Gas Systems(ISGS). Both high ups reiterated thecommitment of two neighbouringstates to give a hopelessly patheticshoulder to Uncle Sam's pressureseeking to stop the project.

Talking to reporters after themeeting, Dr Asim said signing on theEPC contract of IP gasline projectwould be held on February 27 as all

technical issues had been resolvedand a Pakistani delegationcomprising ISGS officials would go toIran today (Wednesday) to finalize themuch awaited deal.

He also said Iran would alsoconstruct oil refinery at Gwadar with arefining capacity of four-lac barrel perday and signing of the agreementpertaining oil refinery would be doneon 27th February when the PresidentAsif Ali Zaradari would be visiting Iran.

Credible sources in petroleumministry told this scribe that inanother uniquely unprecedenteddevelopment, Pakistan has alsodecided to initially buy 10,000 tons ofLiquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) on

daily basis from Iran as theneighbouring state has offered a lowprice of $30/ton of the commodity incomparison to the price ofinternational market.

The Iranian LPG would be broughtto Pakistan via road and the quantityof importing Irani LPG to the countrywould be enhanced in second phase,sources added.

It merits mentioning here thatMr. Rostam Ghasemi IranianMinister for Petroleum also calledon President Asif Ali Zardari andPrime Minister Raja Pervez Ashrafon Wednesday morning whereAdvisor on Petroleum Dr. AsimHussain was also present.

Pakistan, Iran ‘manage’ breakthrough on pipeline� Islamabad to get gas at discounted rate � Pact to be signed on 27th now � Tehran to help build oil refinery at Gwadar port

SAEED MINHAS

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court Wednesdaymade public report evolved by a 3-memberjudicial commission led by Justice SyedJamshed Ali in respect of the persons whohave got waived their loans since 1972.

A 3-judge bench led by Chief JusticeIftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took up thecase for hearing Wednesday.

With the opening of this report severalnames of important figures will standexposed and sword of disqualification islikely to hang over the heads of severalpoliticians.

Major defaulters among the politicianswere Chaudhries of Gujrat who defaulted inpayment of six loans worth Rs 109.66million against Phalia Sugar, Punjab Sugarand Sapco Limited; Ittefaq group Rs83 million against Ittefaq Foundry,Saifullah's Rs 37.3 million while Zardarigroup was in default of Rs 7 million.

The State Bank had issued a total of 33circulars since 1972 to 2007 in that respect.According to Section 25 of the BankingOrdinance, a loan write off case should besent to the Parliament but this section hadcontinuously been ignored.

The total amount waived off as loansfrom 1972 to 1996 is over Rs. 200 billion.Three lists of bad loans have beenpublished since 1993, the first by caretakerPM Moeen Qureshi, followed by two listsby Benazir Bhutto and caretakergovernment of Meraj Khalid in October1996 and January 1997 respectively. Thebad loans which were Rs 1,340 millionwhen Z A Bhutto was removed swelled to

Rs 80 billion in August 1993, Rs 126 billionin November 1996 and Rs 130 billion inJanuary 1997.

According to details, 244 loans werewritten-off amounting to Rs 4,724 millionbetween March 1985 and August 1993 butthe number of written-off loans increased942 in November 1996 valued at Rs 8,247million. Thus during her second term,Benazir government wrote-off 698 loansworth Rs 3,550m.

Some notable beneficiaries of loanswritten-off before August 1993 includedNew Era Textile (Rs 136.7m), HashwaniHotels (Rs120 m), Fancy (Rs 64.89m),Colony (Rs51.4 m), Saifullahs (Rs39.21m), Hyesons (Rs 35.7m), Habib groupagainst RKD Sugar (17.m), Saigol againstOmaryar Limited and Kohinoor TextileMills (17.1m), Mian Mansha (Rs 7.5m),Bibojee (Rs 4.2m), Packages (Rs4.2m)and Bawany (Rs 2m).

The 698 beneficiaries of written-off loansunder Benazir included Farooq A. Sheikh,whose five loans worth Rs 500 million inAdamjee Industries, Dost MohammadTextile Mills, United Exports andUnited Group of Industries were written-off. Six loans worth Rs 131m of JanMohammad, a member of the NationalGroup owning the Muslim CommercialBank, relating to Charsada Sugar Millswere written-off. A few other beneficiarieswere: Saifullahs, Hashwani, House ofHabib, B.D Avari, Taufiq Sayed Saigol,MNA Shahid Nazir and former NASpeaker Gohar Ayub.

MASOOD REHMAN

ISLAMABAD: Declaring the topintelligence agencies’ reports overthe Quetta carnage asdissatisfactory, the Supreme CourtWednesday summoned for today(Thursday) the Home Secretary,Frontier Corps Commandant andCCPO of Balochistan.

A three-member benchcomprising Chief Justice IftikharMuhammad Chaudhry, JusticeKhilji Arif Hussain and Justice Sh.Azmat Saeed while hearing a suomotu case pertaining to the killingsof Hazara community in Quetta,however exempted the Interiorand Defence secretaries frompersonal appearance.

The court again asked thepresident and the primeminister to file, through CabinetSecretary by today (Thursday),their replies about the stepstaken so far to provide securityto the Hazara community.

Interior Ministry’s AdditionalSecretary Saqib Javed told thecourt that prior information aboutQuetta attacks had been given tothe provincial government. He said11 people were involved in theattacks on Hazara community.

Commander Shahbaz, a legalrepresentative of Interior Ministrytold the court that ISI had providedthe information about the incidentbeforehand. After examining the ISIand IB reports, the CJ noted thatthe government had 30 to 40 percent accurate information about theattack. The chief justice asked the

Balochistan Advocate GeneralAmanullah Kinrani why thesecurity agencies did nothing if theyhad prior information , adding thatthe answer to this question wouldbe sought from the FCCommandant today (Thursday).

Kinrani stated the governmentreceived many intelligence reports,but they did not know where theincident would take place. The chiefjustice noted that all the concernedinstitutions should have conductedsearch operations after receivingintelligence reports about thepossible attacks. The court rejectedthe ISI report on the Quettaincident, terming it dissatisfactoryand directed the Defence SecretaryLt Gen (r) Asif Yasin to resubmit it.He later re-submitted the reportand also read it out.

The Interior Secretary KhawajaMuhammad Siddique Akbarsubmitted the report ofIntelligence Bureau (IB) onHazara killings and requested thecourt to keep it confidential.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain notedthat explosives were transportedfrom Lahore to Quetta andquestioned what the agencies andpolice were doing.

The court said that since theAttorney General Irfan Qadir wasnot answering the questions, thusthe court would have to summonthe prime minister to answer thequestions. The defence secretarysaid the Military Intelligence (MI)did not play any role in suchmatters. The court adjourned thehearing for today (Thursday).

MIRZA KHURRAM SHAHZAD

QUETTA: Tensions, griefand cries kept the HazaraTown in grip as all thevictims of last Saturday'swater tanker bomb blastwere buried at thecommunity's graveyard.

Charged and emotionalscenes were witnessed whenhundreds of women andyouth tried to stop the burialas they thought that theleaders agreed to end theagitation without majordemands being accepted.

Angry protesters alsopelted stones on a car of thedeputy commissioner Quettaand the security forcesresorted to aerial firing shotsin response. Hazara youththen replied with the aerialfiring through automaticweapons and latercommunity leadersconvinced the soldiers tovacate the area.

After FC left the graveyard,hundreds of volunteersformed a human chain toprotect the participants offuneral.

The confusion aboutburying the victims led tochaos at the sit-in site earlyin the morning when manyrelatives of the victimsrefused to bury and others toend the sit-in. But theleaders prevailed and thecoffins were moved to thegraveyard in the lap of theChilton Mountain. Theprotesters remainedshouting and crying andencircled the graves dug outin a line. The volunteers,somehow managed to buryall the bodies wrapped inwhite shrouds engraved withthe words 'Ya Hussain' whenthe women went on chantingslogans 'Labiak Ya Hussain.'

GHAZANFAR ABBASS

ISLAMABAD: Punjabpolice have lodged an FIRagainst Pakistan'sAmbassador to the USSherry Rehman on allegedcharges of blasphemy.

A resident of Multan,Faheem Akhtar Gill, hadsubmitted an application inMultan in 2010 but noaction was taken. Theapplicant also submitted hisplea to senior police officialsin Multan, as well as IGPunjab and Shahbaz Sharif,none of them entertained hisrequest, after which hemoved the Supreme Court.

The apex court entertainedhis petition (CP-2027/2011)on January 17 and directedthe CPO Multan to takeaction in accordance withthe law. On February 19,

SHO of Chehliak policestation affirmed that the FIRagainst Sherry Rehman hadbeen lodged in light of theSCs order.

According to Gill, theMultan RPO Rao AmirZulfiqar has constituted aninquiry board comprising SPInvestigation GhulamShabbir Jafri, SP CanttNazar Abbas and DSP CanttSaleem Niazi which hasbegun investigation.

Gill had claimed in hispetition that Sherry Rehmanhad committed blasphemywhile speaking on a TVshowon a private news channel in2010. When contacted theSP Investigation confirmedthat the investigation wasunderway, after which theAmbassador would beapproached for necessarylegal requirements.

STAFF REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The PPP andPML-Q have decided to fieldjoint candidates during theupcoming general elections.

This decision was takenduring a meeting attendedby representatives of bothparties here Wednesday. ThePML-Q delegation was ledby Ch Shujaat Hussain andCh Pervaiz Elahi while thePPP side was represented byManzoor Wattoo, MakdoomShahbuddin, Tanveer AshrafKaira and NazirMuhammad Gondal. Thetwo parties would discuss thecriteria for selection ofcandidates in the nextmeetings. Shujaat said thiselectoral alliance wouldusher in a new era innational politics which willstrengthen the tradition ofpolitical alliances.

SC opens doors to JC report

Defaulters since1972 made public

CJ threatens to summon PM

SC rejects ISI report onQuetta carnage

Hazara victimsburied amidtears, rage

Sherry bookedfor ‘blasphemy’

QUETTA: People carrying the coffins of 113 martyrs of Hazara Town blast for burial after their funeral prayers. –ONLINE

� Spy agency accuses govt of lacking strategy;claims passing prior info to civil admin

� Rs 200 billion waived as loans from 1972-96 � Top politicians, bankers, major groups default in billions

List of defaulters on Page 9

PPP, PML-Qto field jointcandidates

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

ISLAMABAD: The traffic system inthe twin cities has been ruined dueto long queues of vehicles at thecompressed natural gas stations,while on the other hand, mostdomestic users remained deprivedof gas and used firewood to cookmeals. The owners of CNG fillingstations were seen overchargingconsumers, who had to wait forhours to get the fuel. Transportersurged the chief justice of Pakistan tofix separate petrol pumps and CNGstations for the public transports.They also demanded strict actionagainst the owners of CNG stationsfor not providing gas to motoristand transporters. �ONLINE

Nine new tubewells to beinstalledISLAMABAD: The CapitalDevelopment Authority has decidedto install nine new tubewells in thefederal capital to improve supply ofclean drinking water to the citizens.The tube wells will be installed atthe cost of Rs 18 million. One tubewell each will be installed in sectorF-8, sector I-8 Markaz, sector I-8/1,Margalla town, Shahzad town and 4in national park area. CDA hasalready replaced old motors of 135tube wells under US aid program.Post audit has also been conductedin this regard and CDA has cleared106 tube wells. As many as 37 waterfiltration plants are operating in thefederal capital while 5 morefiltration plants will be constructedby CDA to facilitate the citizens.The new filtration plants will bebuilt in sectors G-7/I, G/9, H/8,G-10, I and T center. �ONLINE

IHC dismisses petitionagainst ECPISLAMABAD: The IslamabadHigh Court rejected on Wednesdaya petition filed to declare theElection Commission of Pakistannull and void. A single bench,comprising Justice Shaukat AzizSiddiqui, heard the petition of NiazInqalabi Advocate who stated thatappointment of Chief ElectionCommissioner was not inaccordance with the Constitution,therefore the ECP be declared nulland void. Justice Siddiqui said inhis remarks that “why this issuewas not raised when ECP chief wasappointment? As the elections areapproaching you have turned up toobject over it.” “The doctrine ofnecessity has been buried and sowould be the conspiratorialtactics…This petition is thereforenon-maintainable,” observedJustice Siddiqui while throwingout the plea. �ONLINE

Most private schools haveno playgroundsISLAMABAD: Despite chargingheavy tuition fee and other chargesfrom students’ parents, severalsmall and large private schools inthe twin cities lack playgrounds.This is affecting the students’physical and mental fitness. Theprivate school industry has grownand flourished extensively inalmost every city, district and evensmall towns at a very fast rate,especially in the last couple ofdecades. Sports play an importantrole in students’ lives by teachingthem sportsmanship, physicalfitness, team spirit, mentalstrength, constructive use of time,maintaining health, confidence anddecision-making. �ONLINE

SHANEL KHALIQ

ISLAMABAD: An exhibition of artworks, titled ‘Mind Maps’ by the fourthbatch of the graduates of the NationalCollege of Arts, Rawalpindi, was held atthe Pakistan National Council of Arts.

Inaugurating the exhibition,Ministry of National Heritage and

Integration Secretary Asif Ghafoorappreciated the budding talent andsaid that the youth has potential tocope with challenges in any field. “Ouryoung generation is leading inacademics at world level. I hope thatmore opportunities await our talentedyouth,” he said.

The work on display is part of the

thesis of the young graduates whorepresent multiple themes rangingfrom personal ethos to socio politicalissues. They used variety of mediums,techniques and expression in theirwork which is reflective of artist’s ownexperiences in life, notes from theirpersonal diary and the circumstancesthat they were subject to.

The young graduates haveexperimented with miniaturepainting, digital printing, installation,video art, painting, mixed mediumand print. Xahra Hafeez Khwaja, oneof the artists while explaining her worksays that she has tried to use suitcasesas symbols of representing hardrealities of life. Similarly, other artists

such as Hira Shakoor made use of baldimages to disregard harsh feelingssuch as vanity.

The exhibits put together ondisplay at the National Art Gallerycan be considered a post moderndiscourse that gives young artists achance to place their art practice inthe global context.

NCA graduates display artwork

A beautiful view of sunset in the federal capital. �ONLINE

SALMAN ABBAS

ISLAMABAD: After a lowercourt’s decision, the laxity ofCapital Development Authorityhas provided an opportunity tolawyers to grab more land of afootball field in Sector F/8, wherethey have now drawn chalk linesto build their chambers.

A source in the CapitalDevelopment Authority SportsDirectorate told The Spokesmanthat a fresh survey was conductedby the civic body on Wednesday tocheck the condition of the footballfield and after reaching there theyfound that the lawyers had alreadydrawn chalk lines there to buildchambers there.

Previously, it may be recalled, thelawyers were just trying to cover asmall piece of land in the field.

He revealed that the directoratehas sent an application to thechairman office for takingconcrete steps for saving the fieldfrom encroachment but nothinghas been done in this regard bythe high-ups of the authority.

He said that some proposals forpreventing the field fromencroachment have also been sentto the chairman including theconstruction of concrete wall atthe site of F/8 district courts sothat the entrance from the courtside could be closed permanently.

In 2010, the administration ofthe nearby mobile company office

also tried to use the field asparking place but the authorityhad also not taken any step atthat time to save the field.However, the court decision hasalso played a role in the wholescenario which has not restrictedthe lawyers from carrying outillegal construction at publicplace, he said.

Civil Judge Muhammad NaveedKhan passed an interim orderagainst the Capital DevelopmentAuthority and its EnforcementDirectorate by restraining them fromusing force against the members ofthe District Bar despite the fact thatthe football field is a public place andany type of construction here even byCDA itself is illegal. CDA did not try

to take action against the lawyers butsoon after the court judgment, it tookaction against the illegal constructionby violating court orders.

F/8 Markaz Traders ActionCommittee President QamarZaman Abbasi said that theCapital Development Authoritywas not taking any action againstthe lawyers and also the SupremeCourt registrar has also notaddressed their complaints so far.District Bar Secretary ShajjarAbbas said that no administrationcan restrict them from carryingout construction in the field asthey have got an interim orderfrom the court. He said that theywanted to construct the chamberson temporary basis.

CDA laxity gives way tolawyers’ sleight of hand

OUR STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD: Apparently to show hisgreat concern with issues related to F/7Jubilee Park, Capital DevelopmentAuthority Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbazon Wednesday visited the park anddirected his Environment Directorateofficials to expedite its development. Butthe thing which can, in fact, go in hisfavour is to implement the Supreme Courtorders regarding the same park.

On February 9, the SC bench headed byChief Justice Iftikhar MuhammadChaudhry had given a 10-day deadline tothe CDA for furnishing the names ofthose CDA officials who had once tried toconvert the park into a mini golf course.

In 2005, the then chairman of theCDA, Kamran Lashari, went into ajoint venture with Shah Sharabeel, theowner of a private firm, to convertJubilee Park into a mini golf course,but on February 2, 2006, the SupremeCourt took a suo moto notice of theissue and termed the lease agreement(dated June 4, 2005) illegal, declaringit contrary to the fundamental rights ofthe public. The civic agency was alsodirected to take action against thoseinvolved in the gaffe.

CDA sources told The Spokesman thatthe authority has virtually failed to furnishthe name of guilty officials and to takeaction against the officials involved in thescam, calling anger of the superiorjudiciary. They said that the legal wing ofthe CDA has also asked the sportsdirectorate to provide their reply on F/7Jubilee Park. However, they said that thespecial visit of a chairman to the parkmight be a move to show himself veryconcerning about implementing the courtorders of ensuring the fundamental rightto the residents.

The CDA chairman has in themeanwhile said that the work beingcarried out for the development ofJubilee Park is satisfactory but should befurther expedited for completion of thisrecreational facility to facilitate theresidents at the earliest. He was apprisedabout the progress on the developmentwork being carried out in the park andthe facilities to be developed for thegeneral public.

During his visit to the park, TahirShahbaz said that the authority is takingconcrete measures for development,maintenance and up-gradation of parks toprovide the best recreational facilities tothe residents of the federal capital.

Security forpolio teamsISLAMABAD: Inspector General ofIslamabad Police Bani Amin Khan onMonday announced that the capitalpolice have ensured special securityarrangements for the assistance of polioteams so that they can administer thepolio drops without fear. �ONLINE

CDA chief playstrick with SCover F/7 park

Long queues of vehiclesfor CNG ruin traffic system

SHANEL KHALIQ

ISLAMABAD: Extravagant and elaborate weddings havebecome part of the urban elite culture in the countryhowever many circles still criticize such practices as utterwaste and in conflict with our religious ideals. This themewas beautifully captured by a play performed by a group ofamateurs at Pakistan National Council of the ArtsAuditorium. The play titled “Tamasha” was directed byrenowned television artist Laila Zuberi and it was thebrainchild of a 22-year-old Nida Karim who has noexperience in the field of performing arts but wants tochannel her energies into educative and thought provokingentertainment. The cast, the technical team and the back

stage managers were all students in the bracket of 18-20years of age, and this was their first experience of live actingand management. The play is about the wedding ceremonyof children belonging to some of the most illustrious andwell-off families in town. It was a brilliant satire on thewasteful and lavish spending made on high-profile weddingsin the city. Ranging from the massive guest list to theelaborate decorations on stage to the long and profligatemenu, weddings in the society have become a means toflaunt wealth and opulence in the most tasteless manner.

A few entertaining dance sequences added more flavourto the story and were thoroughly applauded by the audience.Nida, the producer, said that they were not expecting such agood response with such a little experience in the field.

Lavish weddings an urban elite culture

HOMER BALOCH

ISLAMABAD: Alleged involvementof an influential personality in amurder of a man in Gangal Townhas been testing the nerves of theKoral police who find it difficult toarrest the relative of the PakistanMuslim League-Q’s representativeand younger brother of formerNational Assembly deputy speaker,and also seem helpless to find anyclue against him.

An FIR number 41 was lodgedagainst Imtiaz alias Taji Khokharalong with his four men for killingKhalid in a property dispute onTuesday. According to details,Khalid aged 32, resident of AmarPura and a toy seller by profession,was killed in a small dispute ofproperty when Imran, along withSajid and Tanveer opened fire onhim in Gangal Town.

Tanveer, cousin of the diseased,told The Spokesman that, “We wereconstructing our home at theirfamily land when two months agosome men, claiming to be supportedby Imtiaz Khokhar, interrupted us by

saying that we should takepermission to construct buildinghere, but we refused their demand.Yesterday they came and opened fireon our house hitting Khalid, whodied on the spot.”

When contacted, AdvocateZaheer-ud-Din, the lawyer of theaffected family, said that three out offour accused were charged underSection 302 for murder, whilecharges against Imtiaz Khokharwere of abetment. “So technically, itwill be difficult to get any proofagainst him in the court of lawbecause in this case his men claimedto be appearing on his behalf. So thescenario will be different if theaccused changed their statement.”

It merits mentioning that Imtiazalias Taji khokhar, younger brotherof former deputy speaker HajiNawaz Khokhar and uncle ofMustafa Nawaz Khokhar, a PML-Qrepresentative, is known as a bigfish in the land grabbing mafia, andis also wanted in a murder case of awoman, who was also allegedlykilled by his men in a land disputein August 2012.

Bigwig knocks outpolice in murder case

�Traders for stern action as lawyers say they want temporary chambers on ‘football field’

�Mind Maps exhibition held at Pakistan National Council of Arts

ISLAMABAD: The civic authorities of twin cities,including Cantonment Board Rawalpindi, have removed300 illegal water connections in its campaigns againstsuch connections. Widespread installation of illegal waterconnections in the areas of Cantonment Board has posed

water availability crunch to the residents. In the wake ofgrowing complaints in this regard, Cantonment Boardwater recovery cell set up special team to launch operationagainst these connections. Team identified 1500 illegalconnections. �ONLINE

300 illegal water connections snapped

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013 POWER ALLEYS|

Nadeem F. Paracha �@NadeemfParacha Shahid Afridi just opened a restaurant inLahore. Hope it's not called 'Tableeghi Inn' andlasts longer than Afridi does on the wicket.Rezaul Hasan Laskar �@Rezhasan What's with this South Asian Media Summitin #Islamabad? Almost all sessions namedafter James Bond movies Newsweek Pakistan �@NewsweekPak

Pakistani gang rape victim Mukhar Mai says female oppression can only becountered with literacy, education http://newsweekpakistan.com/scope/2615Talat Aslam �@titojourno We don't need no education? Of the 51 working days this year, most schoolsin Karachi have been closed on 25Nadeem F. Paracha �@NadeemfParacha Extremist mindset to Pakistan in the 21st century, is what the Bubonic Plaguewas to Europe in the 14th century.omar r quraishi �@omar_quraishi Adil Jawad of Daily Express, Amir Adeel of Geo and Razeshta Setna of Heraldwin Chevening South Asia Media Fellowships from PakistanAyesha Tammy Haq �@tammyhaq Balochistan is doomed. No one has an idea of what the hell to do other thanlook after their own interests. #PakistanNosheen Abbas �@Goshno Wake up Pakistan Government! RT @jhaque_: When the victims are buriedin mass graves, it’s genocide http://bit.ly/11UureR #Hazara #PakistanAsad Munir �@asadmunir38 Avoid meeting your Twitter friends,they are different than the image you haveconceived, based on their tweets.Ayesha Siddiqa �@iamthedrifter after dismantling all police capacity ISI blames civilian administration wow -SC reviews ISI newly submitted report Rob Crilly �@robcrilly Pakistan has been through more "tipping points" in the past year than theaverage dumper truck. Have they made any difference?Nadia Jamil �@NJLahoriCrazy some of us live in a country & know so little about it.Allow ourselves 2Bbrainwashed by 1 perspective.I would like 2 learn frm every1Anwar A Durrani �@aliarqam#LLF has a session on "Future of #Urdu literature in #Punjab" but no sessionon the bleak future of #Punjabi language #LahoreDr Abdul Qadeer Khan �@DrAQ_KhanPML N has been backing sectarian terrorists in Punjab and forming coalitionswith them, It must stop or It should get banned tooAsad Munir �@asadmunir38"There is no sincerer love than the love of food."- George Bernard ShawShahid Saeed �@shahidsaeed MNA, former Senator, Khatu Mal Jeevan had to pay Rs 5000 at a Lahorehotel as he's achoot & rendered crockery unclean barkha dutt �@BDUTT Cameron says sorry. 94 years later. Will our political lot take a cue andapologise to citizens for more recent wrongs ?farrukh saleem �@SaleemFarrukh The failure of politics and backfiring of a military doctrine are the majordrivers behind Quetta’s bloodshedArif Rafiq �@ArifCRafiq Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry: "Just go and get this Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.Haroon Rashid �@TheHaroonRashid When will v get even 3G“@USEmbassyKabul: Etisalat #Afghanistan,tolaunch country's first trial 4G networksaeed shah �@SaeedShah Resigned or ousted?: Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh resigns Hassan Abbas �@Watandost Thanks a lot Ayesha @iamthedrifter: To understand Jihadi politics & Pakstate very important to read .. 'Pakistan Drift into Extremism'Murtaza Solangi �@murtazasolangi Taliban in Nowshera put up posters ordering closing of CD Shops & internetcafes. So how will people watch their horrific videos?Raza Rumi �@Razarumi MT @ShireenMazari1:Strange how LJ ppl can call media houses issungthreats/taking resp 4 killings but intel agencies cant reach/arrest them?Omar Waraich �@OmarWaraich If this report is true, then Kabul and Islamabad are cooperating RT@FATANews: Maulvi Faqir arrested in Afghanistan http://bit.ly/XttUea

Venom Inc. This should not beheld against me in a court oflaw as I solemnly declare

that these are absolute lies, dirtywhispers and wild speculation that Ihave heard while crawling in thedark power corridors of the creepyCapital. You will believe them atyour own risk Shh...If you havevenom to spill please don’t hesitateto share with us on our blog atwww.thespokesman.pk

SHANEL KHALIQ

The tide has been against Dr AsimHussain recently as controversysurrounds him with regards to

the multiple important designationsthat he is holding. Although the Pak-istan Medical and Dental Council itselfhas been surrounded by intense con-troversy in recent times with regardsthe forthcoming elections and the ap-pointment of an administrator how-ever Dr Asim has been at the center ofmost of this conundrum.

Currently he is Federal Minister forPetroleum and Natural Resources. Onthe other hand he is also the vice Pres-ident and de facto President of Pak-istan Medical and Dental Council,which is a government post. He is alsothe owner of Zia uddin Group of Hos-pitals which is one of the largest net-work of private hospitals in the country.It is no surprise therefore that neitherthe Petroleum ministry nor the PMDC

is skyrocketing with success in theirown separate domains.

The post of an administrator in thePMDC has been created specificallyafter amending the PMDC Ordinanceby the current PPP government. Al-though this step in itself is deservingcriticism however Dr Asim’s presencein the entire episode adds spice.

In addition to all the posts mentionedabove Dr Asim is also personal physi-cian to the President and is a memberof the Board of Governors of AghaKhan University, Dow Medical College,University of Health Sciences and Li-aquat Medical College. Furthermore heis also the President of Private MedicalColleges Association.

The PMDC’s primary function is tosupervise institutions that are involvedin providing training and education inmedicine and also those that are in-volved in the provision of healthcare. Itis an internationally recognized bodythat is supposed to function au-

tonomously and administer and con-trol medical schools across the country.

Conflict of interest is bound to arisein such a scenario when Dr Asim Hus-sain is supposed to take decisions in hiscapacity as Vice President of PMDC.There is a high probability of any indi-vidual in his capacity to administerpolicies that will ultimately favor pri-vate medical universities and in someway his own university. To add to theheap of controversies, it is likely that heis now eyeing the post of President ofPMDC. He summoned a meeting ofthe Council last month in absence ofthe President which is illegal accordingto the legal framework of the Council.Unfortunately this inconsistency goesunnoticed by the authorities. The gov-ernment on top of this has issued ashow cause notice to the current Presi-dent PMDC Dr Sibtul Hasnain, whoseremoval will quite obviously benefit DrAsim Hussain.

A recent petition has been filed in the

Supreme Court calling for his removalfrom the post of Advisor to Prime Min-ister on Petroleum and Natural Re-sources. The Young Doctor’sAssociation has also chided him as “in-capable of holding the post of VicePresidency and now looking to manip-ulate the forthcoming elections”.

According to the legal framework ofthe PMDC, the membership of theCouncil, let alone the Vice Presidency,is the right of a teacher at a medicalcollege. Dr Asim has although servedas a faculty member at Zia uddinMedical college but has not been aProfessor of Medicine and Surgery.Sources from PMDC reveal that DrAsim Hussain has also previouslybeen involved in hindering the coun-cil from working autonomously afterthe death of its President back in2004, until the Supreme Court finallycame to its rescue.

It is therefore quite inconceivablehow one individual is practically incontrol of the entire medical machin-ery in the country now and yet has alsobeen granted a ministry of a completelyseparate department. Moreover his ac-ademic qualifications and professionalcompetence are also questioned by themedical community at large.

Dr Asim in the dock

Buttering up before the elections

GHAZANFAR ABBASS

DERA GHAZI KHAN: As generalelections loom round the corner, an in-teresting political scenario is develop-ing in Dera Ghazi Khan. Two familiesfrom the district have dominated thelocal politics in the parliamentary his-tory of the country. They are theKhosas and the Legharis, the rivalswho occupied the slots in assembliesalternatively.

On one hand, Farooq Leghari, thechief of Leghari family, grabbed thePresidency, and, on the other, SardarZulfiqar Khosa served as Punjab gov-ernor and his son as the chief minister.But situation is quite different now.

The Khosa family, who remained ac-tive in politics under the banner of

PML-N for the last several decades, iscurrently torn apart by differences. Hiseldest son Saifuddin Khosa has joinedthe PPP camp, while PML-N hasstarted giving cold shoulder to the fam-ily. Its biggest example is the seniorKhosa’s latest press conference held athis house. Previously, he always heldinteraction with media at either theDCO office’s committee room or thecircuit house.

Zulfiqar Khosa is currently in hishometown, but spending most of histime at his home – an exercise contraryto his usual practice. The reason is sim-ple. The PML-N has adapted itself tocounter the strategy to PPP and is at-tracting influential political families toboost its chances in coming polls.

There are reports that the PML-Nhas invited theLegharis – thefamily which re-mained part ofPPP for a longtime, but laterformed its own‘Millat Party’ andthen became partof PML-Q - to joinits ranks. TheLegharis have al-ready started consulting the familymembers and the tribal elders on theissue. Sources say Punjab Chief Minis-ter Shehbaz Sharif will visit ChotiZarain on 26th of this month and theLeghari group is expected to announcejoining the PML-N on the occasion. It

will be a U-turn, as they had previouslyannounced to contest the elections in-dependently and would not aspire forthe party ticket from any grouping.

Jamal Khan Leghari is the incum-bent head of the Legharis, who becamethe 27th chief of Leghari tribe after thedeath of his father Farooq Leghari. Heserved as the district nazim of DeraGhazi Khan during the Musharrafregime. After retiring from Senate in

2011, he joined thePTI on December28, 2011.

But the Legharifamily, whose 28members had cho-sen the PTI as itsnew home afterleaving the PML-Q, now looks un-concerned with theparty. This is de-spite the fact thatImran Khan vis-ited Choti Zerainand also annoyedShirin Mazari onthe issue of allow-ing the Legharis to

enter the PTI. Later, Shirin quitted thePTI under the pretext of protestagainst Imran’s decision of not visitingher Rajanpur district.

The chief of Leghari tribe will now acandidate from NA-172, from wherehis brother Owais Leghari is the cur-

rent MNA. FarooqLeghari alwayswon this seat witha huge margin, butit was not theusual game in2008, when he de-feated PML-NHafiz AbdulKarim after ahard-fought bat-tle. Hafiz is thedistrict’s leading business man. Theother aspirants for NA-172 are HafizKarim of PML-N, Maqsood Leghari –another member of Leghari group –and PP’s Sardar Shabbir Leghari.

In case the Leghari group joins thePML-N, it will be interesting to see

who will be able to get the party ticket,as both Hafiz Karim and MaqsoodLeghari are in the race for the NationalAssembly constituency. However, theLeghari considers this seat part of hisfiefdom and will never the ‘rights tokeep it’ in their control.

Four members of the Leghari familyare currently members of the nationalprovincial assemblies. It is said Jamalis more people-friendly than Owais

who visits ChotiZerain only aftermonths and prefersto stay at his homein Bahria Town Is-lamabad. On theother hand, theiruncle MaqsoodLeghari remains inthe constituencywhich has earnedhim the trust ofelectorate.

Jamal, who likeshunting, has servedas senator but ispresenting itself forpopular politics(direct elections)

for the first time. Therefore, it can besaid that he will grab the NA-172 eas-ily, if he joins the PML-N and bothHafiz and Maqsood do not jump intothe contest; otherwise, it is possiblethat the Legharis chief may lose theirstronghold in coming polls.

Wanna know how Saleem Mandviwalla,who as Minister of State for Finance wasonly tasked with keeping a liaison with

banks, got elevated to a full Ministerial status?Well it’s a $2 billion question.

According to somebody in the know of the na-tional fiscal mess (and quite peeved with dear de-parted Sheikh Sb) the government wanted Sheikhto cough up $2 billion dollars to pay for a generouselection menu which included agriculture tube-well subsidies running into billions of rupees;pumping in another few billion into the BISF tobuy election sympathies; development funds forgovernment candidates and a tidy amount for thePM’s constituency itself. And the list reads on, theonly caveat being that Sheikh refused to read it anyfurther.

The former Bretton Institute man suggestedwhat he knows best: the IMF. Except for a little

hiccup: the IMF money would have come withstrings attached and strings as thick as the anchor-ing ropes of a giant ship.

Enter Mandviwalla. He’s assured the real ap-pointing authority (yep, not the PM) that armedwith a GOP sovereign guarantee he can raise therequired funds as commercial loans from the “pri-vate sector”. In other words borrowing at exorbi-tant mark up from anyone willing to lend. Thescheme was opposed by some top finance man-darins on the grounds of any such market forayplaying havoc with Pakistan’s international creditrating, but hey, who cares about ratings in an elec-tion phase. It’s the votes that matter.

So that’s where it stands. A full ministry on thepromise of filling the empty pockets of the rulers.

The silver lining?Probably anyone pledging $2.5 could end up

edging out Mandviwalla and landing the prizedpost of FM. Any takers, ladies and gentlemen?

By the way, Mandviwalla dangled a carrot beforehis masters about his Saudi connections, givingthem the hope that he could bring the money fromthem. Sheshnag knows that he is not as well con-nected as he claims. Of course if he had promisedto build multiplex cinemas that would have been amore credible claim. Those in the know know why.Sshhh...

WhyMandviwallabecame FM?

Legharis likely to ditch PTI for PML-N

”

Four members of the Leghari family arecurrently members of the national

provincial assemblies. It is said Jamal is morepeople-friendly than Owais who visits Choti Zerain only after months and prefers to stay at his home in Bahria Town Islamabad. On the other hand, their uncle Maqsood Leghari remainsin the constituency which has earned him the trust of electorate.

“

There is a highprobability

of any individual in his capacity toadminister policies thatwill ultimately favorprivate medicaluniversities and insome way hisown university.

“

”

� PMDC insiders claim he is unfit for current vice president position

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

ISLAMABAD: Royal Netherlands AirForce Commander Lt GeneralAlexander Schnitger on Wednesdayvisited the Air Headquarters whereChief of Air Staff Air Chief MarshalTahir Rafique Butt received thedistinguished guest. The Dutchcommander also visited the PakistanAeronautical Complex in Kamra,where he was received by AeronauticalComplex Board Chairman Air MarshalSohail Gul Khan. The delegation tookkeen interest in the manufacturingfacilities of JF-17 Thunder aircraft. Onhis arrival, a smartly turnedcontingent of the Pakistan Air Forcepresented the Guard of Honour to theguest. Later, Lt General AlexanderSchnitger was introduced to PrincipalStaff Officers of the Pakistan Air Force.The distinguished guest paid homageto the martyrs by laying wreath on theMartyrs Monument at the AirHeadquarters. Lt General AlexanderSchnitger also called on the Air ChiefMarshal in his office. �PR

Imran raps blast ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan,strongly condemned the blast inAhmed Deen Brohi village nearJacobabad which resulted in thedeath of Shafiq Hussain Shah,grandson of Sain Hussain Shah, Pirof Qambar Sharif and left fourinjured. The blast took place near anongoing rally of a religious partywhich was followed by protests onthe streets as a result of which thecity came to a standstill andbusinesses closed down. Such attacksagainst spiritual leaders violate thesanctity of Islam and are stronglyreprehensible. The dangerousupsurge of sectarian and ethnicviolence in recent months has turnedinto a full-blown conflict. Thoseresponsible for deteriorating law andorder situation in the country areineligible to be in power, for leavingthe nation on the mercy of terrorism.Secessionist groups, religious and aweak government response havecombined to make the country one ofthe most dangerous in the world. Thenation should stand firm and unitedagainst these agents of terror. �ONLINE

190 vehicles challanedRAWALPINDI: Motor RegistrationAuthority of Excise and taxationdepartment challaned 190 vehiclesduring general hold up against tokentax defaulters and non-registeredvehicles. In the general hold up notonly 190 vehicles were challaned but15 vehicles were also impoundedwhile fine of Rs 500,000 was alsoreceived. The E&T department alsochecked vehicles at check posts andtook action against non-registeredvehicles and motorcycles. �ONLINE

Bat decision deferredISLAMABAD: The ElectionCommission of Pakistan has deferredits decision to allot a new electionsymbol to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The decision was taken duringan ECP meeting, headed by ChiefElection Commissioner FakhruddinG Ebrahim. According to sources, thePTI had asked for the allotment ofbat as party symbol for the upcominggeneral election. Previously, the ECPhad turned down a PTI request toallot tarazoo (scale). Both JI and PTIhad applied for the election sign.After hearing arguments from bothsides, the ECP allotted tarazoo to theJI. The commission had reportedlysuggested torch and hill as alternatesymbols to the PTI. �ONLINE

Altaf sincerity questioned QUETTA: Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen General Secretary AllamaAmin Shaheedi has reacted in strongterms to Altaf Hussain’s criticism of‘some Shia elders’ who played role inending Hazara community sit-in andpersuading them for burial of theirloved ones who died on Saturday’sdeadly blast. �ONLINE

RAWALPINDI: Workers preparing traditional blinds at Chik Bazaar. �ONLINE

SALMAN ABBAS

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Courton Wednesday issued notices to PakistanMedical & Dental Council Vice President DrAsim Hussain, Ministry of NationalRegulations and Services Secretary ImtiazInayat Elahi and others on a contempt ofcourt petition filed by Dr Aftab Akbar for notrestoring him on the post of PMDC registrardespite court’s orders.

The executive committee of the PM&DC onJanuary 22 suspended Dr Akbar and onFebruary 6, the IHC ordered his restorationby ruling that the council’s executivecommittee, which had suspended him, wasnot the competent authority. However, thehigh-ups concerned did not obey the court

orders. Aftab, then, filed the contempt case. Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan heard the case.

Dr Aftab’s counsel contended before thecourt that his client had informed all theauthorities concerned about his restoration,adding that Aftab specifically wrote a letterto Dr Raja Amjad Mahmood, who had beenposted in his place as registrar.

The counsel also informed the court thatRaja Amjad was an employee of Ministry ofNational Regulations and Services, was sentby the government on deputation andappointed as registrar, apparently against theprovisions of PMDC Ordinance, 1962 and therules framed there under and this fact wasalso brought into notice of the IHC. Hepleaded that despite court orders Raja Amjaddid not vacate the office of the registrar.

Contempt of court noticesto top doctor, secretary

KARACHI/LAHORE: Normal life wasrestored in Karachi, Sindh interior, parts ofPunjab and Balochistan after country-wideprotest of Shia community ended late onTuesday following talks with the government.

According to Media Reports, protests insupport of the Shiites in Quetta were heldacross the country, with protestors blockingmain thoroughfares and rail tracks,burning tyres on roads which crippled lifein Karachi and other cities.

In the capital of Islamabad, protestersgathered outside the Supreme Court, wherethe powerful chief justice has openedhearings into the violence. A parliamentary

delegation, led by Information MinisterQamar Zaman Kaira, told the Shia leaders inQuetta that four suspects had been killed and170 people arrested, adding that FC andRangers had kicked off an operation againstthe militants. "The operation will go on untilall culprits are nabbed," Kaira said. "All ourdemands have been met," said Shi'ite leaderAmin Shaheedi. "The government hasassured us that Quetta will be protected nowand such incidents will not be repeated."

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said thegovernment had also replaced the provincialpolice chief and offered to heavily fortify theHazara Shi'ite enclave in Quetta. �ONLINE

Normality returns to Karachi,Lahore as Hazara protests end

KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly onWednesday passed a unanimousresolution, requesting the Sindhgovernment to approach the federalgovernment for the arrest of thoseinvolved in terrorism in Quetta. Thejoint resolution was moved by MQMdeputy parliamentary leader FaisalSabzwari, PPP MPA Mujadid Isranand PML-F leader Marvi Rashdi.

During the debate, some MPAsdemanded that Quetta be placedunder control of the armed forces.“Why are you opposing the army’sdeployment and have made it a selfesteem issue?” PML-F leader JamMadad Ali said. “The civiliangovernment has lost its writ in theprovince as innocent people arebeing killed. We demand control ofthe city be given to the armed forcesfor a while till the situation returnsto normal,” he added.

Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza, whobelongs to the ruling PakistanPeople’s Party, said that victims ofthe incidents have not demanded thedeployment of the army, but areasking for targeted action againstculprits with the help of armedforces. Another PPP MPA ImdadPitafi while criticising the role ofintelligence agencies and armedforces said that the governmentspent huge national capital on them,but they have totally failed to securethe lives of citizens.

“It is the prime responsibility ofintelligence agencies to preventsuch incidents, but they aregetting incentives and doingnothing,” he said. On the otherhand, MPAs of the PPP and MQMcalled it a ‘conspiracy’ against thedemocratic government andsaid that national, local andinternational hands are behind theincidents to defame Pakistan anddestabilise its economy.

“Why does the government alwayspledge to take steps after themassacre of innocents? Nothingtangible will come out of suspendingsome police personnel and removingthe IG. We demand armed forcestake action. No harm will come fromour forces being temporarilydeployed over there,” Nuzhat Pathanof PML-Q added.

Sindh PA callsfor placingQuetta underarmy control

Dutch commanderlikes JF-17

ISLAMABAD: Hiroshi Oe,Ambassador of Japan in Pakistan, hasstressed that “we must continue to workhard to promote cooperation andstrengthen cultural ties between Japanand Pakistan in the future”. Heexpressed these views while addressingthe inaugural exhibition of JapaneseCalendars at the Rawalpindi ArtsCouncil on Wednesday.

The exhibition in cooperation withthe Rawalpindi Arts Council willremain open for the public fromFebruary 21 to 27, from 9 am to 5 pm.The annual Japanese CalendarsExhibition is very popular in Pakistan.This year, around 100 calendars have

been displayed in the exhibition withthe cooperation of Japan CalendarsAssociation, Tokyo. These calendarsshow Japan’s traditional andcontemporary arts, sports,automobiles, nature, cultural heritageand architecture.

Since every calendar is a piece ofart, the Japan Calendar Associationhas tried their best to attract viewersthrough different subjects andmediums. The exhibition not onlygives a picture of the socio- culturaldevelopment of Japan spread overcenturies, but also exhibits theaesthetic features of Japaneseprinting technology.

While speaking at the inauguralceremony, Hiroshi Oe, Ambassador ofJapan to Pakistan said that a variety ofJapanese calendars have been put ondisplay in this exhibition whichrepresent the beauty as well as the truelife image of Japan. The visitors will beable to see things Japanese in a waythey would see them in Japan. Most ofthe calendars being displayed aremade by private Japanese companies,and most of them are printed onrecycled paper which is a fine exampleof Japan’s efforts to be eco-friendly,added the ambassador.

Ambassador further said thatJapanese companies work hard to be

globally competitive throughinnovation, improvement, and bybeing environmentally conscious.They use innovation in theirtechnology to preserve theenvironment. By doing so, they canenhance corporate image and, at thesame time, satisfy their passion forimproving the environment.

Ambassador Oe stressed that wemust continue to work hard to promotecooperation and strengthen culturalties between Japan and Pakistan in thefuture. After the exhibition, all thecalendars will be distributed to thelucky visitors through lottery by theRawalpindi Arts Council. �ONLINE

OUR STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD: Dismayed SupremeCourt Wednesday sought details of ajudicial commission reportedlyformed by President Asif Ali Zardarito examine and review a strongly-worded letter written by the NABChairman Admiral (r) Fasih Bokhariaccusing the superior judiciary ofinfluencing the Rental PowerProjects (RPP) scam investigation.

A three-judge bench comprisingChief Justice Iftikhar MuhammadChaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmedand Justice Sh. Azmat Saeed, whilehearing a contempt of court caseagainst NAB chief, also rejected his

request seeking exemption frompersonal appearance before thecourt.

Appearing on notice, the NABchief requested the court to granthim exemption from personalappearance as he had beenappearing before the court for lastthree days, while he had to look afterthe affairs of his office.

The court also issued notices to thepublishers, printers and editors oftwo Urdu language dailies, whichpublished the news about formationof the commission, directing them toproduce all information about theformation of the commission.

During the hearing, the chief

justice noted that he came to knowthrough media reports thatPresident Zardari had formed atwo-member judicial commissionheaded by Justice (r) MuhammadNawaz Abbasi to examine andreview the letter. “Has thecommission been formed tosupervise and monitor theSupreme Court,” the chief justiceinquired. “The NAB chief hadcommitted contempt. This letterhas dragged the judiciary intopolitics,” he observed.

Naveed Rasool Mirza, counsel forNAB chairman, told the court thathe had no knowledge about any suchcommission.

Meanwhile, Supreme CourtRegistrar Dr Faqir Hussainpresented before the bench his notein response to the media reportsabout the commission’s formation.In his note, the Registrar stated thathe had contacted the Law andJustice Secretary on telephone toinquire about the matter, however,he rejected such reports stating thatno such commission was formedand besides they did not proceed onmedia speculations.

Later, the court adjourned thehearing till March 14 due toreplacement of Justice GulzarAhmed with Justice Khilji ArifHussain from the bench.

SC rejects Fasih’s request

Japanese ambassador calls for strengthening cultural ties

ZEESHAN JAVAID

ISLAMABAD: The legislators in the Upper Houseof parliament on Wednesday claimed that securityand intelligence agencies are either directlyinvolved in terrorist activities across the country orthey are incapable of dealing with the situation,while Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimedthat they have rendered great sacrifices for thecountry. Malik told the House that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-e-Sahaba and Jaish-e-Muhammadiare carrying out all the terrorist activities in thecountry, including recent Balochistan killings. “Asmany as 31 workers of the banned organisationshave been arrested and they have confessed tocarrying out several terrorist hits,” said Malik.

“The information on expected terrorist activitiesalways proved true, and was always shared with allthe provinces,” he maintained. For Balochistanand Karachi, several alerts were forwarded to therespective governments, he added. “Theintelligence agencies always provided correctinformation, but the provinces have failed to takeappropriate measures for the protection of theirsubjects. What have we done for the security forcesduring the last five years? Nothing!” said Malim.He informed the senators that there are 3,117workers of Laskhar-e-Jhangvi and thegovernment has made a plan to arrest them.About the Balochistan blast, he said that theexplosive matterial used in it was brought fromLahore.

Regretting the Balochistan incident, ANP’sSenator Abdul Nabi Bangash claimed, “This isfailure of the intelligence agencies and securityforces operating there. In Swat, FATA andBalochistan adventurism were carried out by ourown institutions. The forces created these terrorist

groups with the hope that they will independenceIndian Occupied Kashmir. If Pakistani forces arenot involved in these activities then it is theiinability to deal with the issue.”

MQM’s Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan said thatpolitical scoring was carried out over dead bodiesin Balochistan, which he termed as insult ofhumanity. Through a well plane conspiracy thesituation of Karachi was destroying. Senator ZahidKhan said it was shameful for our forces thatwithin a month a second big incident has occurredin Balochistan. The Balochistan governor termedthe incident a failure of the intelligence agencies,which means it is failure of the federal andprovincial governments. Punjab is responsible forterrorism in the country because they establishedthe banned organisations.”

Senior parliamentarian Senator Raza Rabbanisaid Pakistan is passing through critical stagehaving internal and external threats. TheParliament has identified the matter andsuggested several option for their solution but theinner states have to correct themselves. After the18th Amendment law and order is the concern ofprovincial governments, while the federalgovernment can just give guide lines. He identifiedthree issues including internal situation,international situation and lego-political issues areresponsible for uncertainty in Pakistan.

There are terrorism in several countries but theyhandled properly. But the government has todecide in which direction we have to go. KalsoomParveen, Saber Baloch and Maulana Sherani alsospoke on the occasion. The JUI-F senator stagedwalked out over Balochistan incident. They saidBangladesh like situation were created inBalochistan and stressed for appropriate measuresbefore it was too late.

Intelligence agencies involvedin terrorism, allege senators�Provinces have failed to protect their citizens, says interior minister

�NAB says no commission formed by president as court seeks details

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

MONITORING DESK

PESHAWAR: Justice in Pakistan'stribal border areas is a contested issue.“We are quite clear what justice is. Ifsomeone kills, commits adultery orsome other offence, they deserve to die,”said Javaid Khan of the Utman Kheltribe in Bajaur Agency, reports IRIN, anews service of the UN office for theCoordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Talking to IRIN from the town ofKhar in Bajaur, he did not see these asextra-judicial killings or a violation ofthe law, saying: “We have our ownmeans to keep order here… Yes, overthe years, killings have been carriedout on `jirga’ orders - for murder,adultery or other offences.”

Traditional justice is strong in manyof these areas - but that comes at theexpense of universally accepted legalrights, say campaigners. “The `jirga’

may offer justice in some cases, butthere are flaws and there is evidencethat the will of powerful tribal eldersholds sway over the less influential,”Asad Jamal, a Lahore-based lawyer,said. The less influential, he said,“would include women”.

The power of `jirga’ is particularlystrong in the Federally AdministeredTribal Areas (FATA), which are onlycovered by limited parts of thePakistan Penal Code and the 1973Constitution. Instead, FATA operatesunder the Frontier Crimes Regulation(FCR) of 1901: colonial-era laws thatcondone collective punishments andlack a right of appeal or trial by jury.

According to a human rights activist,jirgas are widespread, notably in tribalareas and affect women more adverselythan men by holding back progress forthem, keeping them confined to withinthe four walls of their houses,preventing them from acquiring

education, and promoting damagingtraditions like child marriage.

Those who campaign against thejustice of `jirgas’, say they oftendeliver injustice, in part becausewomen have so little power over theirdecisions.

“Since women are not representedon the `jirgas’, verdicts often goagainst them,” Samar Minallah Khan,a human rights activist anddocumentary film-maker who hasworked extensively in KhyberPakhtunkhwa, says.

Far-reaching influenceThe hold of tradition and

“traditional justice” extends beyondthe more legally autonomous tribalbelts.

Minallah said women in KP werefrequently produced before jirgas,most often in cases of `swara’

(marriages of exchange), where theywere handed over to an aggrievedparty to settle a dispute, includingmurder or other crime. “Under-agegirls are often produced before jirgasby their fathers in such cases,”Minallah said.

The `jirgas’ often help reinforcediscrimination against women, whichcan be particularly acute in ruralareas in the north.

In the remote Kohistan District ofKP where, technically speaking atleast, national law applies, three menwere shot dead in January this year asa result of a long-standing tribal feudinvolving allegations their brothershad mingled with unrelated women.

“The ease with which people arewilling to kill women, often on `jirga’orders, is shocking,” says anotheractivist Farzana Bari.

“In our culture men and womenunrelated to each other are not

permitted to mingle at all,” NazirKohistani, a businessman who now livesin Peshawar but has origins in Besham,Kohistan, told IRIN. He said he hadmoved to Peshawar when his threedaughters were infants “so they could beeducated and lead a normal life.”

Womenʼs rights curtailed“It is difficult to change established

ways,” said a woman who now lives inPeshawar, but hails from MohmandAgency. “We as women can only try,but despite my efforts I have beenunable to persuade my husband toallow our two daughters to studybeyond grade five.”

She says she will need to “fight hard”to allow her daughters to receive evenvocational training in sewing orembroidery, and the right to leavetheir home to receive the training.

Businessman Kohistani says he has

come up against the same issues. Hetold IRIN: “In areas such as ours,there are women who never, everleave the four walls of their home,simply moving from the home of theirparents to that of their husbands. Idid not want my daughters, or my twosons, to grow up in such a culture, andtherefore I escaped it.”

However, escape is not possible formost. Nor do they necessarily wish toabandon old ways.

“We live as are grandfathers andgreat grandfathers did, we keep to ourown ways as tribesmen; we believe lifemust follow tradition so we preserveour culture - and we are proud of themorality that comes with this,” saidJavaid Khan from Bajaur.

He says his main concern is to “keepchange away since it will worsen, notimprove our lives, ruining morality,especially for women, who need to bemodest and kept away from public life.”

OUR STAFF REPORTER

SARGODHA: Domestic violence againstwomen is on the rise in Punjab and theprovincial government needs toimmediately pass the bill to help ruralwomen overcome the menace was thedemand of a women assembly held inSargodha on Wednesday.

More than thousand women from tenunion councils of five tehsils assembledin the lawns of Sargodha’s Town Hallunder the Women AwarenessProgramme of Aurat Foundation in‘Awaz Women Assembly’.

Addressing the gathering, representativesfrom Union Council Lilyani said womenwere still deprived of their right to vote intheir area and democracy remainedhijacked by male members of the society.“Raising voice against such an injustice hasled to an increased violence againstwomen,” they added.

Representatives of the assemblydemanded the Punjab government toprovide a level playing field to women inrural areas without which hope of any

positive change in the society will remain adistant dream.

Representatives from Union CouncilSlianwali were of the view that womenwere facing discrimination not only indistribution of inheritance but also inworkforce. And any attempt to counterthe practice meant more violence againstwomen. However, they said that womenwanted a change in their lives butgovernment need to help them realisetheir dream.

Women assembly members later held apeaceful march from Town Hall to pressthe provincial government to ensureimmediate passage of the bill, which ispending before various committees for along time, to bring an end to domesticviolence against women. The march,which culminated at Shaheen Chowk, wasled by Aurat Foundation ResidentDirector Nasreen Zehra and MumtazMughal. Adviser to Punjab Chief MinisterBegum Zakia Shahnawaz and MNABegum Mehnaz Rafi were also amongstthe participants.

‘Search forrights meansmore sufferings’� Women urge Punjab govt to immediately pass bill againstdomestic violence

Jirga ‘dispenses’ justice but at the cost of humans� A tribesman from Khar says his main concern is to keep change away since it will ruin morality, especially for women, who need to be modest

OUR STAFF REPOTER

MIRPUR (AJK): The participants of thetwo-day workshop on ‘Review andFinalisation of State of Environmental Profilein AJK’ emphasised the need for stringentmeasures to resolve the environmental issuesand threats on a priority basis to overcomepoverty in Azad Kashmir.

The workshop culminated on Wednesdaywith the conclusion that the environmentalhazards resulted in the increased poverty inthe region. The workshop was arranged bythe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)of the AJK with the coordination of theMinistry of Climate Change of Pakistan,

United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and the Embassy of Kingdom ofNetherland in Pakistan, the sponsor ofongoing ‘National EnvironmentalInformation Management System (NEIMS)Project’ in AJK. The EPA is one of the majorstakeholders of the project.

Besides environmental experts and theheads of various departments of the AJKgovernment including Forests, LocalGovernment, PWD, Education, Electricity,Public Health, Agriculture and Livestockalso expressed views about the rimeobjectives of holding of the workshop.

Project Director Baber Minhas disclosed inhis report that 2.3 million people out of atotal population of four million in AJK were

facing serious water and sanitation issues, asthey lack access to hygienic drinking water.

Speakers emphasised that the socio-economic conditions could be improvedthrough the sustainable development in theAJK territory. “However, better developmentneeds better planning and better planningneeds better knowledge and informationdata. And at the same time, betterinformation management system helpsbetter resource allocation,” they observed.

“The workshop, indeed, will infuse betterunderstanding of the prevailing state ofenvironment in AJK through theinvolvement of all the stakeholders both from public and private sectors,” they observed.

“In terms of the outputs, the project isaimed to assembly scattered data onenvironment from all available sources andorganise it in the form of and manner that itadds value to the work of policy, programmeand control measures for environmentalprotection and natural resource conservationby all stakeholders, on a continuous basisand to achieve sustainable development inAJK as ultimate goal,” he pointed out.

AJK Minister for Environment ShaziaAkbar was the chief guest at the concludingceremony, while Ministry of Climate Change(Pakistan) Director General Javed Ali,Representative of Embassy of NetherlandJohn William and others were also presenton the occasion.

Environmental issues causing increase in poverty� Workshop told that more than half of total population of four million in AJK is facing water and sanitation-related problems

HYDERABAD: The city is famous for bangle-making which involves thousands of workers, mostly in cottage industry. �INP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court hasdirected the government for removingencroachments from the entire state-ownedland, including public parks, in Karachiwithin ten days.

These orders were issued by the SupremeCourt on Wednesday during proceedings ofthe case regarding encroachments in Karachi.The three-member bench headed by ChiefJustice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhryresumed the hearing.

The chief justice said in his remarks that thewhole economy of the country was disturbeddue to encroachments. Commercial plazaswere made in the public parks and themenace of land grabbing was spreading day-by-day. “All the major roads of the country arefull of encroachments. State lands are beingutilised for commercial purposes.”

Former district nazim of KarachiNaimatullah Khan had moved theapplication. During the hearing, AdditionalAdvocate General Sindh Yasin Azadappeared before the court. He said law andorder situation in Karachi was notsatisfactory; therefore, he could not compilereport on the encroachments. He requestedthe court to grant more time to enable himcomplete the task.

The CJ said people knew the land grabberswere so powerful that they would not vacatethe properties easily.

Justice Azmat said why the possession ofland mafia was not eliminated so far. Thegovernment had done nothing since 2010.

Yasin Azad said that some 164 plots inKarachi were retrieved back from the clutchesof land mafia and the matter of 63 more plotswas underway. On the request of assistantadvocate general, the court gave ten moredays to government and adjourned thehearing. �ONLINE

CHICHAWATNI: At least three persons,including a rickshaw driver who was shotdead by robbers, died in separate incidentson Wednesday.

In the first incident, rickshaw driverMuhammad Shaukat was gunned down byunidentified robbers in village Iqbal Nagar.Shaukat, resident of Chak No 11/14 LMamdot Farm, was returning to his homefrom Iqbal Nagar when armed assailantsappeared form the garden and tried stoppedhim, but he tried to drive away his rickshaw.As result, the criminals openedindiscriminate fire, resulting in multiplebullet injuries to him. The locals shifted himto hospital for medical aid but he succumbedto his wounds.

And a six-year-old Muzammil alias HaiderAli was crossing the road at the ChichawatniBypass when suddenly a wagon comingfrom Sahiwal crushed him to death.

In another incident, a police constableTariq Abbas, deployed at Patrolling PostKotala, was trying to cross the U-Turn andsustained severe injuries when a speedy car.He succumbed to his injuries while he wasbeing shifted to a local hospital. �ONLINE

TANK: A member of local peace committee was killed and two passers-by were injuredin a firing incident at Adha Bazaar, a busy market of the town, on Wednesday.

According to report, unidentified armed miscreants opened fire near the bus stand onWednesday evening, killing Gul Masha Baiowali, the peace committee member, on spotand injuring Tariq Shah and Zarjanan. One of the injured, Tariq Shah, is stated to be ina critical condition and has been shifted to a hospital in Dera Ghazi Khan, the Punjabdistrict bordering Dera Ismail Khan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

After the killings, police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to huntthe criminals.

The southernmost districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dera Ismail Khan and Tank,borders the Waziristan region of FATA; therefore, the spillover of violence from the tribalbelt is nothing new for the locals. �AGENCIES

ATHAR LASHARI

AHMEDPUR EAST: The TehsilHead Quarters (THQ) HospitalAhmedpur East’s CCU Ward is stillwaiting for doctors, six years afterthe Punjab government ofChaudhry Pervaiz Elahi allocatedfunds for upgrading the tehsil-levelhospitals in District Bahawalpur.

As a part of the project, four newwards were also established in theTHQ hospital, including theTrauma Centre, Dialyses Centre andChildren Ward, the CCU Ward has

no consultant and physician tillnow. On the other hand, theexpensive machines for the wardremain unused and are beingdamaged. According to MedicalSuperintend Dr Ejazul Haq, there isno consultant or doctor in the ward.“We are facing serious problems;the Punjab government’s servicestructure is not providing anysupport to us.”

Ejaz says Ahmedpur East is a remoteregion but there is no ‘hard-areaallowance’ for the doctors; therefore,they avoid working here. He alsodemanded the provincial government

that the policy should be revisedaccording to the service structure.

Six months ago when ChiefMinister Shehbaz Sharif visited thearea, a doctor from BahawalVictoria Hospital was appointedhere temporarily, but he returnedsoon afterwards. In 2011, the localbusiness community established afund to run the Dialyses Centre, butthe initiative worked for only oneyear, as it is unable to serve thepatients due to lack of funds

It is said absence of doctors forcedreferring more than 262 patients toBahawalpur last month, while some

of them died on their way toBahawal Victoria Hospital, which islocated at a distance of 50 km.

“We do not have health facilities inour town. Where is the chiefminister’s development? There areno doctors, no medicine and noteven nurses,” a local Aziz-ur-Rehman Qureshi said.

It is also heard that more than 16doctors of Bahawal VictoriaHospital are performing theirduties at the Nishter HospitalMultan; therefore, the mainhospital of Bahawalpur is alsofacing dearth of doctors.

OUR STAFF REPORTER

MIRPUR (AJK): The British government isworried about the forced and early age marriagesand the increase in the cases of divorce. Theproblem is more serious in the Asian communitiesliving in the UK.

Keeping in mind the magnitude of the problem,the British High Commission is working on thegrass root level by conducting seminars andworkshops to highlight the issue with the help ofreligious scholars, political and nationalpersonalities and journalists. The whole exercise isaimed at enabling the British government to tacklethe challenge.

These views were expressed by Charles Haaye, thedirector of British Foreign Office Counsel Services,while addressing a seminar conducted by KharriSharif Welfare Society. British Counselor Albert

David and others famouspersonalities were alsopresent on the occasion.

Charles further added that“we are not against thearranged marriages; it’s awrong opinion about us. Weare just telling about thedifference between forcedand arranged marriages.”

“A large number of familiesare getting disturbed bythese kinds of incidents and the British governmentis facing loads of problems.” He said, “We willpromote Kharri Sharif Welfare Society to arrangemore and more seminars in Kotli and Mirpur, andwill support them whenever they needed.

Albert David, Miss Neelam Farooq, Miss Arzoo,Common Wealth Officer Miss Helen and others alsoaddressed the seminar.

Hospital has structure but no doctors� CCU Ward at main medical centre of Ahmedpur East remains unattended for the last six years

Forced marriages a hugechallenge: UK official

Peace committee member shot dead

Rickshaw drivershot dead, twocrushed to death

UK Foreign Office officialCharles Haaye

Govt has 10days to removeencroachments

Aurat Foundation Resident Director Nasreen Zehra, Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Begum ZakiaShahnawaz and MNA Begum Mehnaz Rafi at ‘Awaz Women Assembly’ which discussed the issue ofdomestic violence against the women. �STAFF PHOTO

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

THE SPOKESMANChief Editor: Huma Ali

Executive Editor: Atif MateenResident Editor: Saeed Minhas

Consulting Editors: Jalees Hazir Samina Choonara

Bringing Gwadar back to life

The government of Pakistan officiallytransferred the control of Gwadar portto China Overseas Port HoldingsLimited, a company owned by theChinese government, on 18 February.Although China had paid 80 percentof the $248 million cost of the port’sdevelopment since 2002, the portoperations were leased to the Port ofSingapore Authority (PSA)International Private Limited in 2007for 40 years by the Musharaf regime,ostensibly to please the US. Thecompany hit a roadblock, however,when the Pakistan Navy (PN) refusedto let go of the legal ownership of 584acres of land in favour of PSA in theport area owing to strategic concerns.In 2008, after going back and forthbetween PSA and PN, the then PrimeMinister Yousaf Raza Gilani decidedin favour of the retention of land byPN asking it to spare some 30 acres ofland in favour of PSA for the rail androad link from Gwadar Port to theContainer Freight Terminal.Considering the land in possession ofPN critical to its operations, thecompany did not spend anything outof the promised $525 million on thedevelopment of the port from 2007 to2012, and backed out of theagreement in favour of the Chinesestate-owned company.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in hisaddress during the signing ceremonyof the transfer in Islamabad,underscored the significance of theport in integrating the economies ofthe countries in the region. He arguedthat the port would provide anexcellent trading corridor for westernChina and would also facilitateChinese oil imports from the PersianGulf region.

India fears that the Chinese, inaddition to reaping the economicbenefits of the project, might use theport as a naval base to extend theirmaritime influence to the ArabianSea and keep an eye on the shippinglanes passing through the Straits ofHormuz. Whether this is part of theplan or not, there is no denying thefact that the port is strategicallylocated at the entrance of the Straits

of Hormuz, which could give astrategic edge to both Pakistan andChina near the busy shipping lanes ofthe Arabian Sea.

Indian apprehensions aside, thedevelopment of the Gwadar portcertainly has a great potential of notonly becoming a trade corridor forwestern part of China but becoming atrading hub of the region as well. It isestimated that the port would reducethe time taken by a container to reachfrom western China to the MiddleEast from more than three weeks toless than a week. The port would alsobe at the shortest distance fromKandahar, the main trading center ofsouthern Afghanistan and couldpossibly provide easy warm water

access to the Central Asian Republics. Nevertheless, to fully benefit from

the economic promise that the portholds for China and Pakistan, severalchallenges would need to beaddressed. Gwadar used to be anisolated fishermen village; it still is anisolated town with limited availabilityof basic necessities of life such aswater. Mirani Dam was completed onDasht River 40 km west of Turbat in2006 to provide drinking water toGwadar besides providing water forirrigating fields of food crop for thetown. The dam, which has anextendable storage capacity of302,000 acre feet, can amply meet thewater needs of Gwadar. Since thediscontinuation of development workon Gwadar in 2007, however, work onconnecting the canals from the dam toGwadar city have remained

suspended, which leaves theinhabitants of the city to rely ontankers for their water needs. Two ofthe three irrigation canals from thedam that are operational are beingused for watering fields that growfodder for the horses and camels ofMiddle Eastern Sheikhs instead ofgrowing food crops. Linking Gwadarwith water from Mirani Dam as wellas judicious use of this preciousresource will have to be ensured formaking Gwadar a livable town for alarge number of inhabitants. Gwadaris already utilising power supply fromIran and might need gas supply fromthere as well either as a stand-aloneproject or as part of the Iran-Pakistangas pipeline project.

The isolated nature of the town alsodictates that it would be like adeveloped oasis in the sparselypopulated, poverty-stricken, andbandit-infested desert. For it to servethe purpose of being a trade corridorfor western China or Central Asia, itwill have to be viably linked with therest of the country through a safe andsmooth road network. At the moment,the only major highway that connectsGwadar to the rest of the country isthe coastal highway, which links itwith another port city of Karachirather than anywhere inland. Thearound 1,000 km-long proposedmotorway, M8, from Gwadar toRatodero in Sindh, passing throughTurbat, Hoshab, Awaran, andKhuzdar in Balochistan, is still a longway from completion. Even whencomplete, it would merely link Gwadar

to the Grand Trunk road, which isalready choking with goods andpassenger traffic from Karachi toPunjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Afghanistan, and elsewhere. Thenational highway from Khuzdar toQuetta through Kalat and Mastungwould also need the attention of theNational Highway Authority for itseffective utilisation for containertraffic from Gwadar to Kandahar.The authorities will also have to comeup with a plan to secure the vastexpanse of wilderness through whichthe M8 will have to pass betweenGwadar and Khuzdar.

Besides the physical security of thehighways that would connect Gwadarinternally and with the region, thegeneral lawlessness in the country willalso need to be tackled before Pakistancan hope to become an effectivetrading corridor linking Afghanistan,Central Asia, and China with thewarm waters of the Arabian Sea.Currently the security situation in themain port city of Karachi is so bad thatit has become difficult to do businessthere. Major trade centers likePeshawar and Quetta are in the grip ofextremist violence and sectarianism.The whole country is presenting apicture of bad governance andinsecurity. It is true that this might notstop trade as such but it would keepthe business confidence in the countrygenerally low and trade disruptionsfrequent.

In a nutshell, given the currentsecurity circumstances of thecountry and the enormousdevelopmental needs of Gwadarport, it would take some carefulplanning on the part of thegovernment of Pakistan inascertaining and pursuing itsmedium to long-term economic andforeign policy goals. Otherwise, wecould be a long way from realisingour vision of becoming a tradecorridor for China or a regionaltrading pivot for that matter; andGwadar could possibly be reduced towhat the Indians fear it to be.

THE WRITER IS RESEARCH ANALYST

AT THE INSTITUTE OF

REGIONAL STUDIES ISLAMABAD

Block 11, G-6/1, Aabpara, IslamabadTelephone: 051 260 7153-4

Fax: 051 260 7498www.thespokesman.pkce@thespokesman.pk

AARISH U. KHAN

Given the security circumstances of the country and the enormous developmentalneeds of Gwadar port, it would take careful planning by Pakistan government topursue its medium to long-term economic and foreign policy goals

The recent terrorist attack in Quetta has kicked up a debate on thecivil-military equation in the country. Immediately after the incident,the Balochistan Governor termed it a failure of intelligence agencies.As if on cue, politicians of different hues and media anchors andanalysts were quick to put the onus of the deteriorating law andorder situation in the country on the shoulders of the “intelligenceagencies”, a vague term that is rendered even more elusive because itis often, and wrongly, used interchangeably with the securityestablishment. This knee-jerk response of political leadership andmedia to summon the ghost of the erstwhile monopoly over statepower exercised by the military leadership to explain the currentmess is inaccurate and misleading. The situation on the ground afterthe installation of the present democratic dispensation and GeneralMusharaf ’s departure from the scene is not as simple. To address theserious challenges facing the State of Pakistan, it is important tobroaden the framework of discussion on civil-military relations.

Other than the intelligence agencies under the military’s control,there are many that fall under the domain of the civilianadministration; the IB, FIA, CID and the special branches of thePolice departments. Technically speaking, even the much-criticisedInter Services Intelligence comes under the Ministry of Defence.Using the blanket term of “intelligence agencies” to bracket them alltogether as a monolith and then using the spurious category to targetthe security establishment is malicious. Such discourse was perhapsmore relevant in the past when the military was directly involved ingovernance or indulged in political engineering even at theconstituency level. The military has withdrawn itself from such heavyinvolvement in politics and governance in the post-Musharaf era,and to discuss its role in the present scenario as if nothing haschanged, reduces the discussion to a counter-productive blame gamethat does not help in developing an understanding of the problems,let alone finding ways to solve them.

The political leadership has found it convenient to shift theresponsibility of its failures on to the “invisible government”purportedly run by the military, refusing to put its own house inorder. The reports of “intelligence agencies” clearly indicating theinvolvement of so-called public representatives in criminal activitieshave been ignored by the civilian administration. In Karachi, DrZulfiqar Mirza, who was the sitting Sindh Home Minister at the time,raised a storm when he flashed lists of dangerous criminals identifiedby the Joint Investigation Team of military and civilian intelligenceagencies that were apprehended but set free due to politicalinterference. In Balochistan, ministers of the suspended governmentwere named by intelligence reports for being involved in kidnappingsfor ransom and other criminal activities but no action has been takenagainst them to date. This is not to suggest that the conduct of themilitary intelligence agencies is above board. However, for a discussionthat helps us apportion the blame accurately and take correctivemeasures, it is essential that we appreciate the new scenario thatincludes power players other than those under direct military control.

Civil-military debate

Two of the three irrigation canals from Mrirani dam that areoperational are being used for watering fields that grow fodderfor the horses and camels of MiddleEastern sheikhs instead of growingfood crops and providing drinkingwater to people of Gwadar

Living along the seaside has always been afantasy of many people, and is generally anexpensive idea in almost any coastal cityaround the world. In Pakistan, thecoastline of Karachi used to be prizedproperty and I still remember when Cliftonwas once considered an upscale residentialarea. Today, property has devalued to suchan extent that it is much cheaper livingthere than in other parts of town far fromthe coastline.

One of the main reasons for this is theinvasion of oil tankers in the last twodecades that are allowed to park along thebeach adjoining what was once an upscaleresidential area. Not only is it the parking,what is inexplicable is why these tankerstransporting inflammable material areallowed to ply all day long throughcrowded residential and commercial areasand high-voltage electric cables. This posesthreat to the life and property of theresidents besides making Clifton thelargest tanker parking area in the world. Atotal number of 14 000 registered oil

tankers are being used to transport oilproducts, with at least 7000 among themoperating from Karachi, but no parkingterminal has been constructed for themover all these years.

I have been a resident of Clifton since thelast two decades and things have changeddrastically in all this time. When my fatherbought this flat, people used to visit us andremark at how beautiful and peaceful theplace was. How did this change? Nowpeople visit me and ask ‘Why do you stilllive here? Are you not afraid?’ What isscary is how easy it is to slam into the rearof a tanker some dark night when it isparked in your backyard with no tail lights,no bumper and no number plate, and atanker-friendly policeman on duty nearby.

Karachi is Pakistan’s only metropolis andport city but unfortunately commercialactivity is not regulated here. There aremore water and oil tankers plying and

parked around Clifton than anywhere elsein Pakistan. The sad part is that thosecarrying water have successfully foiled allschemes for clean piped water supply tothe residents and it seems as if no one cannow counter the tanker mafia.

The tanker mafia is made up of powerfulfigures in the police, the cityadministration and other departments whoeither own a fleet of such tankers or have astake in their continued operation. Inshort, almost everyone has strong politicalconnections. Then there are the noisy,smoke-emitting, creaking vehicles plied bythe mafia that even scrap dealers would bereluctant to purchase from them sincetheir condition is not road-worthy and therash way in which they are driven poses agrave threat to other road users.

In November 2010, the Supreme Courtasked the chairman and secretary of theOil Companies Advisory Committee to

submit a compliance report on the removalof oil tankers from the residential area ofShireen Jinnah Colony within two weeks.The superior court ordered for a temporaryparking area to be created on a plotbelonging to the Karachi Port Trust till apermanent place was made, the proposedZulfikarabad Oil Tanker Terminal.

Finally, in 2012, Governor Dr IshratulEbad said that oil tankers will be shifted tothe Zulfikarabad Oil Tanker Terminal byNovember 2012 and this will reduce trafficjams on Karachi’s main roads. But to date,there is no change to be witnessed and thetankers keep lumbering into the traffic atall hours.

It is at least helpful to know that thesuperior court of Pakistan puts somepressure on a corrupt and ineffectual citygovernment to provide relief to the peoplethrough its directions and orders. But theorder of removing the oil tankers from

Shireen Jinnah Colony and Clifton Block 1has not been implemented and theresidents are still waiting for the governorto make a move on it. Meanwhile, thehopelessness is growing.

It seems that it is easier in this country toremove a prime minister than it is todislodge the commercial interests of somepeople over the peace and security ofordinary citizens. Perhaps it is time forresidents to take action and approach thesuperior court to punish those who do notimplement its orders, because we can nolonger do nothing. This “nothing” remindsme of the Shakespearean tragedy KingLear, where the King questions hisdaughter about how much she loves him,and she says: “Nothing!” The King getsangry and replies: “Nothing will come ofnothing, speak again.”

THE WRITER IS A FREELANCER

Who killed the coastline in Karachi?

Half of GB languagesfading away

Non Pamirians celebrated PamiriCulture e.g. the so-called renownedscholars mentioned in the news areneither scholars nor have in depthunderstanding of Pamiri culture. Weare surprised.

AYAZ PAMIRI

POMIR.2013@GMAIL.COM

Maryam replaces Safdar?

Getting Maryam married to Safdarwas as bad decision as was Benazirmarriage to Asif Zardari. Bothdecisions were taken in haste andunder duress.

A J KHAN

AJK@YAHOO.COM

Wajid enjoys personalresidence at tax payersʼ expense

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CRORMIBRA

FLWXJA@799FU.COM

Maulana magic?

Mullah presence in our elected bodiesand Parliament is manifestation of ourresolve to push our society towardsbigotry, prejudice and intolerance.This also shows our insolence to theteachings of peace in our religion.

A J KHAN

AJK@YAHOO.COM

Ayesha Haroon̶Journalist to the core

Huma bhai that's very true what youhave written about Ayesha. It's reallyhard to imagine that she is gone. Atragedy for the journalist communityin Pakistan that one of our strongestpillar has fallen at such a young age.

AFNAN KHAN

AFNANKHANLODHI@GMAIL.COM

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FLEWJEAFT

LXWTXK@MEDIOSBASE.COM

The Nawab is in trouble

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MALIHA.JAVED001@YAHOO.COM

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RINGING IN EARS TREATMENT

XAVIERWALKER@GMAIL.COM

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BIRMINGHAM

DEVONMCCORKLE@INBOX.COM

Elections a tough job for ANP amidst Taliban threats

Today it’s ANP who are sufferings atthe hands of these terrorists buttomorrow it could be others. Thesad thing is that, most of thePakistanis are un-aware of thethreats that are coming their way.Pakistan has become the hub ofterrorists and even its nuclear Armyhas somewhat surrendered to theseterrorists.

HASINA MARWAT

HONEY8882000@YAHOO.COM

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ETHELSTARKEY@CARE2.COM

SHIREEN GUL

Please email your letters toletters@thespokesman.pk or postthem to our address in Islamabad.

The once peaceful coastline of Karachi is now held hostage to the tanker mafia that continues to ply at least7000 vehicles through residential areas at all hours of the day and uses this as a parking lot at night. Thisdefies Supreme Court orders for a permanent parking area to be created for them at the port

EDITOR’SMAIL BOX

Feedback from the web

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

It wasn’t difficult for me to make achoice when I was asked to eitherkeep my job or go for a year-longfellowship at a school of journalism inthe US. That was a defining momentin my professional career and themoment it became clear to me whereI stood and how much I was valuedby the news channel where I hadworked for more than five years.

Instead of encouraging me toincrease my professionalqualifications, the human resourcedepartment asked for my resignation.According to the policy of theorganisation, a year-long leave ofabsence was out of question and one’ssincerity, professionalism anddedication meant nothing to the seth.I thought I would return to thisorganisation better trained, withgreater exposure and confidence towork after this fellowship. I thoughtthey would be proud of me, but I wasabsolutely out of line. In a splitsecond, I tendered my resignationand walked out of office.

Just like other professions, women’sparticipation in journalism, especiallyin the electronic media, is still acultural taboo to be overcome. Peoplecan see you on screen, praise yourappearance, try to follow you onsocial media, but you will not be themost respected of girls for mostpeople. It is not their fault but the waywe are brought up. I remember oncea relative of mine almost had a heartattack when she came to know that Iwork for a news channel. She wasactually worrying about my futureprospects and anticipating ( with herjaw dropping down to her knees )that it would be hard for me to everget married because I appeared onscreen, worked alongside men, andwas self confident. She was of theview that girls who work for themedia are considered of “bad”character. Well! She was not the onlyone who has this perception. I foundmost people in the news media withalmost the same mindset.

Women make half of the populationof 180 million Pakistanis, yet only fiveper cent of the total femalepopulation works outside the house.In media organizations, the femalestaff is almost 10 to 15 per cent. Mostof the time, there are a couple ofwomen or at times just one femalereporter working among more than50 men, including the bureau chief,fellow male reporters, cameramen,DSNG operators, drivers andsometimes even the canteen boys too,all sitting together in one congestedroom of the city bureau.

In this room, the female reporter isalways fighting silently against visibleor invisible discrimination anddifferent forms of harassment.Harassment can be a commentagainst her work, a whisper regardingher clothes or it can be a stare fromhead to toe, beginning from theminute she enters the room or moves

around to find a seat for herself.Sometimes, male reporters also usefoul language in speaking with asource or a personal friend over thephone quite oblivious to the presenceof women.

Most men think that if the womanis out of her house to work, she ispublic property. They often say thatif a woman is so conscious of selfrespect, she should stay at home,never thinking that it may be herfinancial circumstances that bringher out to work. She is alwaysconsidered a soft target to hit on.Sadly, women reporters are neverconsidered responsible enough tocover hard news. If somehow awoman succeeds in getting a goodstory she challenges her boss insteadof pleasing him. She is no longer tobe trusted. Her senior will turnagainst her and try to snub her asmuch as possible by rejecting herstory ideas. Other than this, she isalso expected to work late hours butat the end, it is all a thankless job.Interestingly, in this male dominatedsociety, women in the media are alsopaid less than their malecounterparts.

This is one side of the coin. If youflip the coin, there is another pictureof women who work only for thesake of fame and glamour. I haveseen transformations of suchwomen, going from veils to jeans andshort tops and a visible makeover.The media world has injected somuch glamour in some women thattheir presence is really hard on thosewomen who are out to do seriousprofessional work and who want tobe recognized as good journalists.

Regardless of how much you knowabout journalism, news productionor anchoring, all you need is a bigmug of coffee and to hang aroundyour boss with a yoyo accent. Suchwomen rapidly get promoted andtheir increments are always high.They are good at gossiping andspreading rumours to seniors of thenewsrooms. If you are good fornothing, the boss will keep switchingyour department to see if you can dosomething better, but depending onyour skills to charm people, you willsurely get good opportunitiessomewhere else in some otherorganisation in the country or maybeabroad. This media world is reallycruel to those who are talented andhonest with their work and tothemselves.

Interestingly, most complaintsabout harassment go down thedrain. (We must thank the WomenProtection Bill and the anti-harassment law). Please don’t think Iam exaggerating. I have only penneddown what I have observed andexperienced in five years. I know thatmost of my former bosses and theircolleagues, and even some womenjournalists, may feel offended and itmay be really hard for me to find aposition in a media organization ofseths. Still, I cannot gag myconscience.

THE WRITER IS A HUMPHREY FELLOW

AT CRONKITE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM

AND MASS COMMUNICATION, ARIZONA

STATE UNIVERSITY

Diary of a female journalist

Latin American elections always seem to get itthese days. Western journalists cannot deny anopportunity to pass without throwing somestones. So it was hardly surprising when thewords “dictator” (Reuters, BBC) and “handouts”(USA Today, CBS News) were thrown into thehastily assembled reports on the election in“tiny”, read: insignificant, Ecuador and theresults turned out to be heavily in favor of the“anti-American” candidate.

It’s interesting to look at each of these terms tosee the duplicitous nature of Western reporting.For example, the word dictator should hardlyapply to Rafael Correa, the Ecuadorian Presidentcomfortably reelected. President Correa inEcuador has killed no one. He has started zerowars, tortured or killed zero citizens, and whilehe may have a “pugnacious” (Reuters again)attitude how else could one realistically expect apolitician to survive in the 21st century.

Here’s what you need to know. Rafael Correawas a nobody on the political scene in Ecuadorwhen George W. Bush was being inaugurated forthe second time in Washington 8 years ago. Bushjust beat the current Secretary of State JohnKerry in the November election and presumedhe had a mandate. It turns out though, thatBush’s victory was an incredibly narrow one,with allegations of strange occurrences in Ohio.

All in all, the result was a US democracylooking less and less like an established fact, andmore and more like some kind of disturbingcase of regression back into the “good old days”of black, brown, poor, and those with some formof exploitable vulnerability being prevented

from voting because they were black, brown,poor or vulnerable. No matter though. BothKerry and Bush were rather familiar politicians,both extremely wealthy, both went to Yale andboth even played in the same dark dungeonsthere. How nice!

Meanwhile, Rafael Correa was a nobody on theEcuadorian political scene back then. Journalistswould have found no reason to write about him,negatively or otherwise. Then, the Ecuadorianpeople had grown tired of dirty politics andpoliticians once and for all it seemed. Varioussocial groups came together including nativesfrom the highlands and lowlands and leftistswho were inspired by Chavez in Venezuela, Lulain Brazil, Kirchner in Argentina, and Morales inBolivia. They decided to throw out a presidentthey called Sucio (Dirty) Lucio. Lucio Gutierrezwas an alright guy in their eyes back in the year2000 when he was in military fatigues and haddecided to lend his hand to the socialmovements that were stirred up by a terribleeconomic crisis that featured dollarization of theeconomy. If you live in the US and wonderedwhat happened to all your dirty old dollar bills,then dollarization could help you understand.

In 1999, the country was told by economistsfrom the US and those benevolent monetaryinstitutions, the IMF and World Bank, that itssucre currency was especially filthy lucre andneeded to be thrown out. In turn, they couldstart using the US dollar and be happier for it.One problem though was that anyone with any

small amount of savings in the bank werepractically wiped out. So along came Sucio Luciowith some supporters behind him, ready to say¡Ya Basta! but it turned out that he was onlyplaying nice. Actually, Sucio Lucio was destinedfor bigger and better things than low or highland“Indians”. He had a date with George W. fromYale. How exciting!

Eventually, the people of Ecuador were stirredup once again and decided to take to the streetsone more time. The legislature would have totake decisive action. The rest, as they say, ishistory. Lucio Gutierrez would be removed fromoffice, albeit in a very civilized way, and his vicePresident Alfredo Palacio would take over. Theman who would temporarily be in charge of thegovernment in Quito was a medical doctor bytrade. This story isn’t about him though. It’sabout the colorful and confident, if notpugnacious, finance minister he chose for a briefstint in 2005. This man subscribed to the viewsof Ha Joon Chang and other heterodoxeconomists who pointed out that the West was“kicking away the ladder” when it came toadvice on how to run an economy. His namewas Rafael Correa!

Correa would then go on to run for presidenthimself and surprise everyone by whipping theever-persistent banana magnate and #1wealthiest man in the country. Alvaro Noboa isthe man behind Bonita bananas and he believedEcuador should proudly continue in the path ofthe banana republicanism that it was known for.

He felt so strongly about this that he was to runfor president five times and not be deterred byhis lack of success. Correa disagreed and so didthe Ecuadorian people. The West was, wait for itnow, flabbergasted.

Correa’s plan was to save the economy ofEcuador by putting into place the economicprograms so rarely enacted but superior in everyway to the IMF Structural Adjustment Plans(SAPs) that economists love to talk about. Therewould be no more borrowing to pay off loans.There would be no more privatizing to placepremiums on necessities such as water,electricity, gas and oil. Correa would reversecourse and, six years later, Ecuador is celebratingtheir democracy with pride. While I do not wishto be overzealous and depict a knight in shiningarmour, most of the people are very happy withtheir president. They respect him and they evencare about politics with him at the helm. Thisincludes young and the old, the poor and themiddle class, the black, brown and white.

Electoral politics is a sham but let’s give theEcuadorian people and the government somecredit here. The election appeared well-organized and peaceful. The winner was anincumbent with a plan to continue to try torevitalize the economy by giving ordinaryeveryday people a chance at living a life devoid ofthe desperation that comes with deepimpoverishment. They are investing in socialprograms like healthcare, education, grassrootscooperatives, and even trying to mitigate serious

environmental problems. In an article in TheGuardian, the Indian economist Jayati Ghoshhas called Ecuador the most radical and excitingplace on earth as a result.

Since Correa first took office in early 2007, hegot a lot of interesting things done. He defaultedon Ecuador’s debt (that his predecessor sworewould be the death of the country). He kept hiscampaign promise to evict the United Statesmilitary from their base at Manta. He set aboutcorrecting some serious problems with theconstitution by leading a team to draft a newone. This new constitution would be the first toprovide rights to the environment, that is, rivers,lakes, and forests in Ecuador have rights and canbe legally defended. He also sponsored a plan tokeep the oil in the soil with the Yasuni Initiative,a plan to attract investors whose funds would beused to not extract oil. The plan and theconstitution were hailed as trailblazing. Imagineall that from a dimunitive nation like Ecuador.He also declared solidarity with the plaintiffs inthe Amazon against a shameless US corporation(Shell, now Chevron), whose refusal to act withminimal responsibility when drilling for oil andto clean up after itself has led to seriousproblems with the land and its inhabitants. Heeven invited Julian Assange to come down andlive, so he could be sheltered from thosecountries (Sweden, Australia, the US) willing todestroy liberties to avoid the frightening idea ofthe free flow of information.

(COUNTERPUNCH)

"They think because they arewhite, they have a divine right toour resources. Not here. Neveragain….What we have is ... aforeign-owned and foreign-controlled economy. Of course weparticipate as wage-earners, but asmodest and circumscribed wage-earners….The land is ours by birth,ours by right, also ours bystruggle", Robert Mugabe.

Ignoring prejudices, the quoteappropriately articulates thecurrent plight of the developingworld and there appears to be noreason to believe that the futurewill be any different. Ironically,developing nations were earlierreferred to as “backward”, opticsperhaps were the reason for themore condescending substitution.Irrespective of the terminology,there continues to be a dearth ofeconomic theories which providefor a credible course of actionwhich developing nations canadopt going forward.

Curiously, the economic theoriesand policies prescribed fordeveloping nations today are instark contrast to the ones adoptedby industrial nations when theywere backward. State ownership,protectionism and governmentintervention were the rage ofeconomic thought only a fewdecades ago. So why is it that whatwas, or rather what is, good for thefat gooses is bad for the gander?

It is not that economic thought issacrosanct. Conversely in fact,theories seem to be modified orfresh insight coined into theories,as and when needed in the westernhemisphere. But for some reason,developing nations are coercedinto following a path to perdition.

When global crises struck, too bigto fail was touted as adequatejustification for governmentacquisition of private enterprise.Conversely, the only solutionoffered for ailing State OwnedEnterprises in this part of theworld, is privatisation. Why don’tcritical national assets fall withinthe purview of too big to fail,remains an enigma?

Free markets, consumer choiceand unrestricted internationaltrade are currently projected as theultimate salvation of ailingeconomies. On the other handwhen it comes to agriculture, thesubject is not open to debate.

There is a plethora of literaturewhich argues that it is extremelybeneficial for backward economiesto practice protectionism andrestrict consumer largesse, but forsome reason it has never managedto attract the limelight. It would berather naïve to imagine thatignorance is the cause of suchoversight amongst third worldprofessionals; there are otherforces at play.

It is quite astonishing to notethat there are always apparentlyirrefutable views challengingconventional assertions on mostinternational and nationaloccurrences and economy whichsomehow never manage to attractattention. Specifically, in the caseof Pakistan, it is all the moremysterious why such views onsignificant matters, for instancethe Kalabagh Dam, hotly debatedin coffee table discussions, are nothighlighted by an over enthusiasticmedia which professes patrioticactivism. But let’s move on.

At the dawn of the new worldorder, having elevated theireconomies to the industrialised

status, the only irritant for thedeveloped nations was access toraw material on a continuing basis.

The lopsided internationalpricing regime, controlled by thesevery major economies facilitatedthis particular objective.Compelled to import necessitieswith consequent negative tradebalances, the situation furtherexacerbated by unwarrantedmilitary spending due to domesticconflicts, third world economies,by default, ended up smack in themiddle of the debt trap. Forced toborrow against extremelycontroversial terms, the currentaccount balance continued toworsen, thereby furtherstrengthening the negotiatingpower of the global lending andtrade institutions.

Ultimately simple access to rawmaterial was substituted for directownership of resources bydisguising privatisation in the garbof a knight in shining armor. Thegeneral view that all foreigninvestment is beneficial for thenation is incomprehensible;investors are in the business ofmaking profit over a very shorthorizon beyond which payouts area form of monopoly rent and adrain on national resources.

International trade is a no-winsituation for developing nations.Burdened by debt, continuingadverse trade balances and adepreciating currency, pooreconomies end up exporting moreand more of their resources in anattempt to make ends meet.Foreign investment which in mostcases is accompanied by foreignmanagement, imported technologyand equipment and guaranteedreturns, hardly ever facilitatesimport substitution, on the other

hand it results in export ofcurrency.

While there are circumstances inwhich such initiatives are indeed inthe best interest of the nation, auniform view and uneducateddecisions can indeed be hazardous.

“The Muslim leaders swallow theadvice of the Western powers andbodies like the IMF and WorldBank, even when it is bad for theircountries and they know this”, AbuBakar Bashir.

Free trade policy is generallyaccompanied by a few otherdictates which again are hardly inthe interest of the third world.Struggling economies areinstructed to pursue austeritymeasures, enhance taxation, andreduce infrastructure spendingand decrease prices throughmonetary policy rather thanborrowing more to spend onproductive projects, investing oneducation and skilled labor andspurring economic growth. Thequestion is how long can this stateof affairs continue?

With the passage of time the truewealth of a nation, its resources,will continue to deplete without aniota of improvement in the qualityof life of the populace. Admittedly,extracting the nation out of thisparticular quagmire will not be awalk in the park. But unless theleadership, and relevantprofessionals, pursues a strategy todream up out of the box solutions,the future indeed looks very bleak.Sufficient uncustomary theoriesexist that can stimulate futurecourse of action other than simplystanding with hands up!

THE WRITER IS A CHARTERED

ACCOUNTANT BASED IN ISLAMABAD

Economic doubtlook: looking beyond the box

FATIMA ALI

SYED BAKHTIYAR KAZMI

ADAM CHIMIENTI AND CARMEN L. ARIAS

International trade is a no-win situation for developing nations. Burdened by debt, adverse trade balances and a depreciating currency, poor economiesend up exporting more and more of their resources to make ends meet

Regardless of how much you know about journalism, all you need is a big coffee mug and to hang around your boss with a yoyo accent

President Correa is giving ordinary people a chance at living a life devoid of the desperation that comeswith deep impoverishment

Rafael Correa, Ecuador and lies of the western media

Nigeria on red alert overFrench nationals kidnappingMAIDUGURI, Nigeria: The Nigeriangovernment on Wednesday said it hasplaced its security personnel on redalert and devising strategies followingthe kidnapping of seven Frenchtourists in Cameroon on Tuesday. TheActing Comptroller General ofImmigration, Rilwan Musa toldreporters in Maiduguri, the northeastBorno State capital, that theimmigration service will operate avery stringent border regime toprotect Nigeria from the insurgencyissues and illegal migration that mightoccur from the crisis in Mali and otherneighboring nations. "We have alertedour personnel and have sent messageacross to our officers and men in allour borders, particularly borders inBorno. –AGENCIES

Russia opposes tradesanctions against DPRKMOSCOW: Russia would not backtrade and economic sanctions againstthe Democratic People's Republic ofKorea (DPRK), Russian DeputyForeign Minister Gennady Gatilovsaid on Tuesday. UN Security Councilsanctions should not exceed the non-proliferation goal, Gatilov said,adding that Russia would not supportsanctions that may harm normaltrade and economic relations betweenMoscow and Pyongyang. –AGENCIES

16 Afghan militantslay down arms in BalkhMAZAR-I-SHARIF: Up to 16 Talibanmilitants renounced violence andjoined the government- initiatedpeace and reconciliation process inthe northern Afghan province ofBalkh on Wednesday, police said. "Atotal of 16 Taliban, including theircommander Amir Gul, give upfighting and joined the peace processWednesday," the deputy provincialpolice chief Abdul Rizaq Qadri toldXinhua. –AGENCIES

Bulgarian oppositioncalls for early electionSOFIA: Bulgaria's opposition calledon Wednesday for an early electionafter the rightist governmentresigned, saying that a newparliament was needed to form agovernment. "We need early electionsbecause no government formed bythis parliament can lead normalpolicy," Socialist leader SergeiStanishev said. Bulgaria wasoriginally due to hold a regulargeneral election in July. –AGENCIES

Philippine govt mullingrelease of leftist detaineesMANILA: The Philippinegovernment is considering to releasethe alleged political consultants of theleftist National Democratic Front(NDF) in line with legal processes, asenior government official saidWednesday. "On the matter of therelease of political prisoners, theOffice of the Presidential Adviser(OPAPP) is conducting an internalreview process in accordance with ourlaws and court processes as thisremains a priority," said OPAPPspokesperson Polly Michelle Cunananamid calls of some groups to freedetained NDF consultants. –AGENCIES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

The second anniversary of New LibyaMAXIMILIAN FORTE

THIS weekend, marking thesecond anniversary of thestart of protests that wouldusher in a bloody andprolonged NATO-led coup

to overthrow the Libyan Jamahiriyaand Muammar Gaddafi, offers manyreasons to celebrate for those whoseintention was the demolition of Libyanself-determination, African integration,and a domestic system of extensivesocial welfare and stability.

In return, Libyans have won the rightto live in fear, as they have won thefreedom to be ruled by countless armeddespots each engaged in torture,abductions, and persecution ofminorities. In spite of what seems likean unstoppable momentum towardsgreater strife and social disintegration,romantic imperialists in the West stillinsist on speaking in the mostunwarranted terms of the “streetrevolution,” that has “brought freedomand hope to millions of people here”(Globe and Mail, 15/2/2013).

In the warm glow of fires thatconsume others, some among us findreason for a warming self-congratulation. Symbolic of the depth

of Western respect for Libya’s “newfreedom” is this very statement, fromthe government of Canada itself,warning Canadian travelers: “Do notcriticize the country, its leadership orreligion. Harsh penalties may beimposed.” The few remaining pro-“revolution” propagandists in the Westare not only unwilling to simply statethat what they support is globalizedregime change and a new colonizingwave that would make non-Westernself-determination and sovereigntyprinciples something to be wrecked andthrown aside, they are equally immuneto irony. After all, blessed Benghazi,which was to be “saved” at all costs,saved against all else, by Westernmilitary intervention is now the samecity from which Western interests fleein order to save themselves.

Few Westerners live in Benghazi,which has borne the brunt of a wave ofviolence against diplomats andinternational bodies, including thekilling of U.S. Ambassador ChristopherStevens and a gun attack on the Italianconsul’s car this month.

Britain’s recent call to its nationalsto leave immediately due to a “specificand imminent” threat to Westernershighlights the insecurity plaguing

Benghazi. The assault on the U.S.mission, for which no arrests weremade, grabbed world attention. Butthere had already been attacks onBritish, Red Cross and U.N.properties here. Randy Robinson,principal of British School Benghazi,said: “One of our staff was carjacked.Our residence last spring was robbedwith teachers in a room held atgunpoint as thieves cleaned out theapartments. We have to take care.”

Two years ago the anti-Gaddafiuprising had the strongest support inBenghazi but today a very differentmood has emerged. “Most people herewould say they are very unhappy,” alocal oil worker said. “Some say they areworse off than before.” So let’s celebratethe “new Libya,” this “revolution forfreedom,” in all of its glory. Let it be anexample to others.

Now there is a call from Westernmedia and the usual RAND voicesurging NATO to establish a “mission” inLibya (CSM, 15/2/2013). And if foreignoccupation, or foreign boots on theground were allegedly anathema to theLibyan “revolutionaries,” that toochanged well before Gaddafi wasoverthrown, and is being revived atpresent: military forces from Italy, and

once again from Qatar, have landed inLibya, to help it celebrate its“revolution” (RT, 13/2/2013).

The thing about authentic, legitimaterevolutions these days is that all of theirlegitimacy comes from external sourcesand is dropped from the air in explosive2,000 pound bursts of authenticity.Real revolutions, it would seem, requireforeign guardians and can only surviveunder the tutelage of colonial powers(Washington Times, 5/2/2013).Beautiful thing then, these revolutions.

Once independent, wealthy, andpowerfully defiant, today Libyanresources are almost being given awayto foreign powers that “mentored”Libya’s revolution. Foreign investors inLibya’s oil sector are being given yearsof tax exemption, as if they need it;specifically aimed at encouraging Gulfstate investors, Libya grants theinvestor 65% from a project’s value;“various large scale projects will begiven to Saudi companies in order tostrengthen brotherly ties, removeprevious disputes between the twocountries, establish a new strategicpartnership and benefit from theexpertise of Saudi companies. Aarusialso said that all obstacles facing Gulfinvestors will be overcome.”

And, “last but not least Aarusi said heexpected this Saudi company [whosename he refuses to reveal] to be totallyin charge of starting up the sugar andcement factories in mid-2013,” whoseaim is to export to Europe and Gulfstates (Al Arabiya, 4/2/2013). Alongwith Gaddafi himself, what the “newLibya” buried in that unmarked gravewas resource nationalism and a sense ofintegrity and dignity in the face offoreign vulture capitalists.

Then there is the IMF, in its newlyacquired role of dictating to Libya,another reality permitted by the “streetrevolution” (Arabian Business,6/2/2013). After all, as the IMF’sChristine Lagarde herself has recentlysaid, the “Arab Spring” must befollowed by a “Private Sector Spring”(IMF, 9/1/2013). Libya, formerly asignificant actor in internationalinvestment, buying up properties andshares of lucrative enterprises acrossEurope, is now the target of investors(IMF, 9/1/2013).

The IMF knows when it can takeadvantage of a situation smelling of ripedisaster: “The budget deficit was 27.0percent of GDP in 2011, compared to abudget surplus of 16.2 percent in 2010.Similarly, the current account surplus

narrowed from 19.8 percent of GDP in2010 to 1.3 percent in 2011 (IMF,4/5/2012). Thus the IMF can nowinstruct Libya to eliminate universalprice subsidies, to reduce public sectorwages, and to eliminate incentives forindividuals to seek employment in thepublic sector: “the recent surge in thepublic sector payroll to 1.5 million (80percent of the labor force) will need tobe unwound” (IMF, 4/5/2012). TheIMF has had its sights on Libya frombefore Gaddafi was overthrown byNATO and NATO’s local neocolonialdependents: days before Gaddafi wasmurdered, the IMF had a mission onthe ground in Libya (IMF, 20/10/2011)and had previously decreed itsrecognition of the rebel NationalTransitional Council as the governmentof Libya, thrashing international law asthe Libyan government under Gaddafistill existed (IMF, 10/9/2011).

But you won’t find Naomi Kleinwriting the Libyan chapter of the “shockdoctrine” (Gulf News, 26/10/2011)–Naomi Klein was too busy throwing hersupport behind a Canadian politician,Nathan Cullen, who voted in support ofNATO’s intervention in Libya, withlittle regret.

(Counterpunch)

Once independent, wealthy, and powerfully defiant, today Libyan resources are almost being given away to foreign powers that“mentored” Libya’s revolution. Foreign investors in Libya’s oil sector are being given years of tax exemption, as if they need it

ATHENS: Greece was gripped by afresh 24-hour general strike onWednesday, the first in the New Year,in protest against the harsh austerityand reform program introduced to liftthe country up from a severe three-year debt crisis.

Thousands demonstrators marchedin central Athens and other citiesduring the nationwide mobilizationorganized by the two largest laborunions, representing most of theprivate and public sector workers,

GSEE and ADEDY, as well as Leftopposition parties.

The new strike which brought alarge part of public services andbusiness to a standstill comes aheadof a new audit by European Unionand International Monetary Fundcreditors next week that willdetermine the release of new rescuefinancing to Greece.

The debt-laden country is beingkept afloat by bailout financing since2010 in exchange of tough spending

cuts and tax hikes, which have fueledunemployment, recession andreactions on the streets.

Government officials and lendershave argued that austerity was anecessity to avert bankruptcy andpledged development-boostingmeasures to exit the crisis in comingyears. Protesters responded that theyhave run out of patience and cannotafford more sacrifices.

"The harsh government policiespush more people out in the streets to

claim their rights," said Kostis, a 20-year old student.

"The only solution to change thissituation is mobilization. Only if we -all the people who suffer- unite, wecan win this battle. The austeritypolicies that the Greek governmenthas adopted should stop. Everythingis very difficult, but we as newgeneration must be optimist for thefuture," he added.

"No to further belt-tightening, yesto resistance and life with dignity,"

chanted strikers at Syntagma squareoutside the Greek parliament, in themeantime, as public administrationoffices, banks, schools and storesshut down, flights were grounded,ships remained docked and publichospitals run on skeleton personnel.Demonstrators argue that there arealways alternative ways to distributethe burden so that poor householdswill no longer suffer from recordhigh unemployment and povertyrates. –AGENCIES

TUNIS: Tunisian leaders began thesearch for a new prime minister onWednesday to try to lead the NorthAfrican nation out of its gravest politicalcrisis since an uprising that inspired awave of Arab revolts two years ago.

President Moncef Marzouki was due toconsult the leader of the main IslamistEnnahda party on who should lead thenext government, a day after PrimeMinister Hamadi Jebali resigned.

Jebali quit after his plan for anapolitical technocrat cabinet to preparefor elections failed. He had proposed itafter the assassination of oppositionleader Chokri Belaid on February 6shocked Tunisia and widened Islamist-secular rifts.

Eventually it was Jebali's own Ennahdaparty that scuppered the idea, extending apolitical impasse that has cast a shadowover Tunisia's fledgling democracy and itsailing economy.

"The crisis deepens," ran the headline inthe independent Assarih newspaper,which said Ennahda's efforts to keep itscabinet posts and the collapse of Jebali'sinitiative had "returned the country tosquare one".

Tunisia began a transition to democracyafter the peaceful overthrow of PresidentZine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011,electing a National Constituent Assemblyto write a new constitution, and thenforging a deal under which the moderateEnnahda party agreed to share powerwith its secular rivals. But disputes havedelayed the constitution and the failure totackle unemployment and poverty in acountry that relies on tourism hasdismayed many Tunisians and led tofrequent unrest.

Negotiations on a $1.78 billion loanfrom the International Monetary Fundcannot be concluded amid the latest

uncertainty."Once a new government is named, we

will enquire about itsintentions/mandate," an IMFspokeswoman, Wafa Amr, told Reutersin an email. "Once the political situationis clarified, we'll assess how best to help Tunisia."

Standard and Poor's lowered its long-term foreign and local currencysovereign credit rating on Tunisia onTuesday, citing "a risk that the politicalsituation could deteriorate further amida worsening fiscal, external andeconomic outlook".

Marina Ottaway, senior scholar at theWilson Center's Middle East Program inWashington, said the economic woes ofcountries like Tunisia and Egypt couldnot be solved in the short run.

"There will remain unfulfilledexpectations and a lot of economichardship, but the major cause ofinstability now is a struggle for powerbetween Islamists and secularists," she said.

No one claimed responsibility forBelaid's assassination, the first in Tunisiasince 1952, but it deepened themisgivings of secularists who accused the government of failing to rein in the sometimes violent activities ofIslamist hardliners.

Three days of unrest followed thekilling, straining the Islamist-secularcoalition government and promptingJebali to propose a non-partisan cabinetto avert further strife.

Secular parties mostly supported hisidea, but Ennahda, the biggest party inthe assembly, opposed the idea, fearingit would be sidelined from power. Jebali,who has been in office for 15 months,may be asked to carry on as caretakerpremier. –AGENCIES

LUCKNOW: The nationwide strike by trade unions turned violent in Noida where workers clashed with factory ownersand the police in a hosiery complex and set ablaze vehicles. –WIRE SERVICE

Tunisia seeks newPM to end crisis

Egypt floods Gaza tunnelsGAZA: The tunnels area on Gaza's southern border with Egypt was lively andbusy with trucks mostly loaded with construction materials and food makingtheir way through the unpaved roads out. But smugglers said Egyptian securityforces have started closing some tunnels with new tactic: flooding them withwaste water, noting that dozens of underground passages were flooded withsewage water, causing severe damage that takes weeks to be repaired. The tunnelsacted as Gaza's lifeline between 2007 and 2010, when an Israeli blockadeimposed on the coastal enclave to isolate its Hamas rulers was tight. Israel relaxedthe closure later, but the tunnels remained vital supply for cheaper fuel andconstruction materials. Ahmed Barhoum, a resident of the Rafah border town,noted that the Egyptian crackdown focused on the neighborhoods of al-Salamand al-Barazil, to the west of Rafah crossing point. The Egyptian army andsecurity forces flooded the tunnels with waste water last week, according to theresidents and tunnels owners who live near the borders. Abu el-Bara'a, 41, whoowns a tunnel used to bring in cement and gravel, said his tunnel was swampedwith sewage water, but he did not give up. "From our side, we used our ownpumps to get the waste and sewage water out," he said. "If Egypt and Israeldestroy the tunnels, we will dig more new tunnels," he said. –AGENCIES

TUSTIN: An early morningshooting spree in OrangeCounty, California has leftfour people dead, includingthe shooter, and severalmore injured.

Police first responded to ashooting in Ladera Ranch insouth Orange County. Policethere found a female victimshot dead. The suspect fledthe scene and headed to thenearby city of Tustin.

There were reports ofseveral gunshots fired on thefreeway. Police believe thesuspect opened fire whiledriving or stepped out of hiscar to fire rounds at passingmotorists. One of theshootings was at an off-rampto Freeway 55 in Tustin andresulted in one death. Theshooting continued justblocks away, leaving a thirdperson dead and one morewounded. Another shootingat a nearby freeway on-rampleft one more victimwounded. Police finallycaught up to the gunman ashe was driving a stolenvehicle. But he shot himselfas authorities closed in. Themotive for the shootings isstill unclear. It is also unclearif the victims knew eachother or the shooter. Theviolence began at 4:45 a.m.,when deputies responded toa call from Ladera Ranch, asleepy inland town about 55miles southeast of LosAngeles. –AGENCIES

DAMASCUS: Two mortarsexploded next to a soccer stadiumin central Damascus Wednesday,killing one player and injuringseveral, Syria's state-run newsagency said.

The mortar attack was the secondin as many days in the capital. OnTuesday, two mortars explodednear one of President BasharAssad's palaces, causing materialdamage only.

But it was the first confirmedstrike close to a presidential palaceand another sign that the civil waris moving closer to the heart ofAssad's seat of power and into areasof the capital once considered safe.

SANA news agency said themortars landed Wednesday in acomplex housing the TishrinStadium and a hotel next to it in thecentral Baramkeh district. Someplayers were practicing in thestadium at the time.

It said the player killed was fromthe Homs-based al-Wathbah club.He was wounded inside the hotel assome players were getting ready togo out and join the practice anddied later at the hospital.

The Britain-based activistgroup Syrian Observatory forHuman Rights also reported oneplayer was killed. Players from al-Wathbah team who witnessed theattack identified the deadteammate as 19-year-old YoussefSuleiman, the team's striker.They said he was the father of a 6-

month-old baby.They said the mortars landed in

front of Tishrin hotel next to thestadium where players normallystayed, and shattered some of thebuilding's windows.

The attack hit a few hours beforethe team was to play against theHama-based al-Mawaair club aspart of the domestic league.

"We were collecting our thingsabout to head to the stadium whenwe heard the first explosion and thewindows were blown off," said AliGhosn, a 20-year-old player.

"Youssef was hit in the neck. Weran out to the corridor when thesecond explosion struck and I sawYoussef fall down bleeding from hisneck," he told The Associated Pressin Damascus as some of hiscolleagues wept.

Ali said Suleiman died shortlyafter he arrived at the hospital.Three other players were wounded,one of them in critical condition.

Assad has tried to maintain animage as the head of a functioningstate even as rebels edge closer tothe heart of Damascus.

The capital had largely beenspared the violence that has leftother cities in ruins. For weeks,however, rebels who haveestablished footholds in thesuburbs have been pushing closerto the center of Damascus fromthe eastern and southernoutskirts, clashing withgovernment forces. –AGENCIES

Mortars hitDamascus stadium,kill soccer player

New anti-austerity strike grips Greece� New strike comes ahead of new audit by European Union and International Monetary Fund creditors next week

4 dead inCalif shootingspree

Name Amount borrowed default (Rs in millions)

1 Ittefaq 3,675 2,891 2 Fazalsons 3,475 3,475 3 Tawakkal 1,768 1,464 4 Bela Chemicals 1,259 1,217 5 Abdul Shakoor Kalodia 1,215 1,215 6 Naqvi 1,213 1,060 7 Zahur 1,035 905 8 Ghani 1,023 985 9 Arabian Sea Enterprise 950 913 10 Hyesons 750 725 11 Chaudri Cables 716 684 12 Farooq A Sheikh 632 632 13 Habib 615 615 14 Bawany-Alnoor 601 485 15 Chaudry Shujaat 544 381 16 Dawood 540 325 17 Adamjee 526 494

Total 20,537 18,466

Name Amount in Default (Rs. in Million) 1 Ittefaq 3,013 2 Tawakkal 2,956 3 Fazalsons 2,800 4 Bela Chemicals 2,339 5 Chaudri Shujaat 1,557 6 Abdul Shakoor Koladia 1,254 7 Fauzi Ali Kazim 1,159 8 Saigol 1,086 9 Naqvi 1,056 10 Zahur 1,028 11 Abdullah Al-Rajaih 1,031 12 Ghani 903 13 Habib 845 14 Adamjee 832 15 Hashwani 640 16 Arabian Sea Enterprise 626 17 Sargodha 581 18 United 501 19 Chakwal 441 20 Dawood 376 21 Bawany-Alnoor 352 22 Fateh 213 23 Packages 166 24 Colony 81

Total 25,389

Gold 10 Gms Dollar Interbank Kibor 6 months T Bills6 months Crude oil (WTI) Coal Spot 10-Y PIB Furnace oilRs.52500 Rs. 98.22 9.44% 9.26% $95.66/brl $94.05/Ton 11.42% 76,188/MT

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Spain's Rajoy wantsgrowth, without letting up on austerityMADRID: Prime Minister MarianoRajoy pledged on Wednesday to pullSpain out of its painful recessionwithout relaxing his drive to cut thecountry's high public deficit. Hestruck a difficult balance that mayplease neither voters, who are fed upwith austerity, not Spain's Europeanpartners, who did not get from himthe new reform agenda they havebeen seeking. In his first state-of-the-nation speech since taking officein December 2011, Rajoy said thedeficit had dropped below 7 percentof gross domestic product last year,still above the European Union'sshort-term target. He alsoannounced new incentives foremployers to hire young people -youth unemployment is 56 percent -and cut taxes for small- andmedium-sized companies. At thesame time, he told parliament hewould remain strict on deficitcutting while implementing toughreforms to the labor market,financial system and public finances.But he fell short of meeting demandsfrom the EU and European CentralBank to lay out an ambitiouslegislative plan of further structuralreforms to the economy. –AGENCIES

Iran economy far from collapse as sanctions tightenDUBAI: Hossein Ahmad, an Iranianwho runs a jewelry shop in wealthyDubai, marvels at the spendingpower he sees on show during hismonthly trips to Tehran, a year afterU.S. sanctions largely froze Iran outof the global banking system. Shopsin the Iranian capital are crowded.Finding a seat at good restaurantscan be difficult. And the ski resorts inthe mountains north of Tehrancontinue to attract Tehran'sglamorous and well-heeled. "Theeconomy has problems with thesanctions, yes. But it's still working,"he says. "It isn't as bad as peopleoutside the country think." Sanctionsare clearly having an impact; thecountry's oil revenue has beenslashed and other trade disrupted; aweak currency has sent the prices ofsome imports soaring, destroyingjobs as some factories usingimported parts have folded. But theyare not close to having the"crippling" effect envisaged byWashington. The Iraniangovernment has found ways to softenthe impact, and Iran's economy islarge and diverse enough to absorb alot of punishment. –AGENCIES

Wall Street dips onweakness in energyNEW YORK: Stocks dipped onWednesday as weakness in energy andmaterials sectors weighed on indexesand as traders said there wereunconfirmed rumors in the marketthat a troubled hedge fund was sellingassets. The Dow Jones industrialaverage .DJI dropped 16.03 points, or0.11 percent, to 14,019.64. TheStandard & Poor's 500 Index .SPXdropped 5.81 points, or 0.38 percent,to 1,525.13. The Nasdaq CompositeIndex .IXIC dropped 13.82 points, or0.43 percent, to 3,199.77. –AGENCIES

STAFF REPORT

KARACHI: As expected the market bouncedoff a minor correction as value buying invarious sectors spurred the market to inchcloser to the elusive 18,000 points target.Under pressure from previous session thetelecom sector led by PTCL though mainlyremained in red but some intraday pricerecovery was witnessed.

The volume leader closed at 21.80 Rupeesafter making a low of 21.10 earlier in the day.The index made another record after closing at17947 registering an increment of 129 points.Trade volumes nudged up a bit to 306 millionindicating further room for Bull Run.

Results PreviewPSO

Pakistan State Oil is scheduled to announcethe financial results for the first six months ofthe current fiscal year today. Global researchanticipates profit of 5.9 billion and the earningper share to be around 28 rupees 70 paisa anincrease of 29% on yearly basis which was atthe back of revised margins.

Non payments from thepower sector forced PSO tosomewhat hold backFurnace oil during thesecond quarter of thecurrent fiscal as a result FOsales went down by 28% and the total off takewas down 10% as furnace oil usuallyconstitutes half of the total sale. Additionallythe company in going to realize PKR 1.8 billiondollar of exchange loss as rupee lost 2.52% of

its value against green back in the secondquarter. Company’ total receivable from powerand other sector stand at 158 billion andpayables at 134 billion. The company is worsthit by circular debt in the whole energy chain.However for the share price in the market

there is still a potentialupside of 28% percentaccording to researchanalysts.

Nishat MillsThe Board of Directors of

Nishat Mills Limited (NML)is due to announce the financial results for 2ndquarter of the current fiscal year on February22, 2013, JS research expects the company toreport earnings after tax of Rs1.3bn Translatinginto earning per share of 3.76 Rupees, up

24%QoQ and 52%YoY. Rising sales coupledwith higher gross margins are the key driver forcore earnings while recognition of dividendincome from subsidiaries is expected to furtherboost the company’s bottom line in Secondquarter. Resultantly, cumulative 1HFY13earnings are anticipated to come in at Rs2.4bn(EPs Rs6.79), up 25%YoY. NML currentlytrades at P/E ratio of 4.9x and the JS researchis still bullish on the stock.

Predictions for next sessionThe index is just one good session away from

breaching another level, which by all meanscan be today. Many of the stock however aretechnically close to an exhaustion point or havealready entered the bearish mode. Next Fewdays are extremely important because of highprofile Result announcements Stay safe.

KSE inches closer to 18,000 mark with 129-point surge

OUR STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD: Expressing dismay over theFederal Board of Revenue for notrecovering taxes from the officials involvedin illegal pilferage of the ISAF(International Security Assistance Force)containers, the Supreme Court onWednesday noted that despite its repeateddirections, no action was taken against theresponsible, who caused billion of rupeeslosses to the national exchequer.

A three-member bench comprising ChiefJustice of Pakistan Justice IftikharMuhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji ArifHussain and Justice Sh Azmat Saeednoted that despite knowing very well that

there were no stay orders from the courts,the FBR was showing restraint towardsthe officials involved in the ISAFcontainers scam.

The court also noted that it could sendback the ISAF containers scam cases tothe Federal Tax Ombudsman foradjudication as these cases involved taxevasion. Due to pilferage of hundreds ofISAF containers, the national exchequerwas deprived of billion of rupees, the courtsaid. Addressing FBR counsel RanaMuhammad Shamim, the chief justicesaid that still there was not progress onpending cases.

He said that the court had directed FBRto register cases against the responsible

persons/officials, however it did nothing.Submitting a report, the FBR counsel toldthe court that over 500 cases werepending for adjudication before thetribunals. To a query, he said that theaccused had filed applications in responseto the show cause issued to them by FBR.

When he stated that members of thesetribunals had not been appointed by theconcerned courts, the chief justice toldhim that he must knew that it was the jobof the government and not of the courts tomake such appointments. Rana Shamimstated that the Lahore High Court in itsrecent decision ruled that all suchappointments should be made inconsultation with the chief justices of the

concerned high courts.On September 25, 2012, a meeting was

held between the National AccountabilityBureau (NAB) chairman and FBRauthorities, in which Rs 19 billion losseswere estimated, he said. However, out ofthis amount, Rs 5.6 million had beenrecovered so far, he said. Appearing onnotice, NAB’s additional prosecutorgeneral Rana Zahid Mahmood requestedthe bench to grant him some time to gothrough the case as had recently beengiven this case.

The chief justice told the FBR counselthat FBR could send back these cases tothe Tax Ombudsman and he couldadjudicate these cases under Section 11 ofthe act. Meanwhile, the court adjournedfurther hearing until February 22.

FBR directed to take action inISAF container scam

CURRENCY BUYING SELLINGUS Dollar 99.25 99.50Euro 132.02 132.25British Pound 151.14 151.36UAE Dirham 26.90 27.15Saudi Riyal 26.35 26.59Kuwaiti Dinar 349.10 351.85Canadian Dollar 96.65 98.35

ISLAMABAD: Mr. Attaullah Khan Chairman Bank of Khyber (BOK) Board of Directors (BOD) & Additional Chief Secretary Government of KhyberPakhtunkhawa presiding over 118th BOK BOD Photo Shows (L-R) Mr. Zahid Sahibzada – Company Secretary, Mr. Asad Muhammad Iqbal – Member BOKBOD, Mr. Bilal Mustafa Managing Director BOK, Mr. Attuallah Khan – Chairman BOK BOD, Sahibzada Saeed Ahmed – Member BOK BOD & Secretary FinanceGovernment of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Mr. Sajjad Ahmed – Member BOK BOD & Mir Javed Hashmat Executive Director BOK. –AGENCIES

� SC unhappy with government for not recovering taxes from responsible officials

KSE 17947.07 +129.36 +0.73%ISE 3372.09 +7.48 +0.22LSE 4289.66 -37.18 -0.86%

List of Top Loan Defaulters till 1996

Top Defaulters in January 1997

STAFF REPORT

ISLAMABAD: The Board of Directors of Oil& Gas Development Company Limited(OGDCL) in its meeting held on 20thFebruary, 2013 at Islamabad announced thefinancial results for the six months ended 31stDecember, 2012. The Company’s net salesrevenue increased to Rs 110.626 billioncompared to Rs 88.680 billion in thecorresponding period in 2011. Profit after taxincreased to Rs 49.227 billion in the periodunder review against Rs 41.573 billion in thesame period of last year and earnings pershare has increased to Rs 11.45 as against Rs9.67 in the same period of year 2011.

The Board of Directors announced thesecond interim cash dividend for the periodended December 31, 2012 at Rs 2.00 pershare i.e. 20 percent.

The above entitlement will be paid to theshareholders whose name will appear in theRegister of Members on Monday, April 15,2013. The Share Transfer Books of theCompany will be closed from Tuesday, April 16,2013 to Tuesday, April 23, 2013 ( both daysinclusive). Transfer received at the ShareRegistrar Office at the close of business on April15, 2013 will be treated in time for the purposeof above entitlement to the transferees.

Dr Asim instructs OGDCL to start MsPetroleum Engineering programme:

Dr. Asim Hussain Advisor to Prime Ministeron Petroleum & Natural Resources hasdirected to accelerate the process ofestablishing OGDCL Institute of Science &Technology immediately to accomplish thePPP lead Government programme forpromotion of higher education andtechnology in the country. Following theinstructions OGDCL Institute of Science &Technology affiliated with Quaid-e-AzamUniversity Islamabad has initiated its MSPetroleum Engineering Programme for thirtystudents who will be selected throughGraduate Assessment Test (GAT) by NTS.

The institute has started acquiring facultyand some visiting faculty members have beenidentified. The Board of Governors for theInstitute and Board of Studies (BOS) havebeen constituted with the collaboration ofinternational organizations including ShellInternational, Imperial College UK, PatronasUniversity Malaysia and Stanford Universityof USA. Dr.X.D Jing Professor of Shell atImperial College UK and Shell Innovationand Manager (R&D) China/Asia has acceptedto be member of the Board of Studies.

The Institute has developed course outlineand BOS meeting is scheduled to be heldtoday for the approval of its MS Program. Theadmission rules, examination system, dropoutpolicy, CGPA have been defined for the MScourse and for thesis work.

Kuwait requestsacquisition of two more exploration blocks ISLAMABAD: Government of Kuwait is has desired toinvest in oil exploration sector in Pakistan and asked foracquiring two exploration licenses over Paharpur (block no.3170-5) and Ranipur (block no. 2768-11) on government-to-government basis. A delegation of M/s Kuwait ForeignPetroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) comprisingNizar Al-Adsani (Chairman & Managing Director,KUFPEC), A. Naser Y. Al-Fulaij (Deputy Managing Director,KUFPEC), Syed Wamiq Bokhari (Manager Middle Eastregion, KUFPEC) and Shahid Salim Khan (CountryManager, KUFPEC Pakistan) met with Dr. Asim Hussain,Minister / Advisor to Prime Minister for Petroleum andNatural Resources.

During the meeting the delegation appreciated theincentives provided in Petroleum Policy 2012 promulgatedrecently by the Government of Pakistan. Encouraged by thenew Policy, they informed that the Government of Kuwait isinterested in acquiring licenses on Government-to-Government basis under clause 2.3 of Policy 2012 for whichthey have already submitted applications to DGPC. Recently,the Government of Pakistan has granted a block namely“Jati” on Government-to-government basis as a result ofpersonal efforts of Dr. Asim Hussain who has desired thatMinistry of Petroleum & Natural Resources should bedynamic to meet the new challenges faced in meeting energyneeds. Dr. Asim Hussain has also emphasized that sinceexecution of new Exploration Licenses/PetroleumConcession Agreements forms an integral part of theGovernment’s drive to attract investment in oil & gas sector,therefore, maximum number of exploration licenses may beexecuted with the multinationals as well as publicsector/local E&P Companies to achieve the desired goals tocater for the energy requirements of the country in theshortest possible time. –ONLINE

OGDCL posts profitafter tax of Rs 49.23b

Global shares, oil slip as investors await Fed minutesNew York: Global equity markets faltered on Wednesday as a mixed reading of U.S. housing data took the edge off this year's stockrally, while oil prices fell as the prospect of increased Saudi supply offset optimism spurred by an improving worldwide economy. Ameasure of world shares rose above a peak set in May 2011 to trade at highs last seen 4 1/2 years ago, before paring gains. Investorswere cautious with minutes from the Federal Reserve's most recent meeting due for release later in the day. Global equity marketshave surged over the last seven months as major central banks repeatedly delivered monetary support to weak economies. MSCI'sall-country world equity index .MIWD00000PUS hit a session high of 359.37 before paring gains to trade at 358.21, 0.04 percenthigher on the day. Wall Street was mostly lower and the FTSEurofirst 300 index .FTEU3 index of top European shares was down0.15 percent at 1169.96. The benchmark S&P 500 has gained more than 7 percent so far this year, giving some investors pause. U.S.residential construction fell in January but a jump in permits for future home building to a 4-1/2 year high offered hope thehousing market recovery remains on track. "Any sustained recovery will continue to be underpinned by a recovery in housing, andthe building permits suggests a slow, grinding recovery. There will be fits and starts, but the general trend is a positive slope, whichbodes well for the market," Steven Baffico, chief executive officer at Four Wood Capital Partners in New York. The Dow Jonesindustrial average .DJI was up 7.22 points, or 0.05 percent, at 14,042.89. –AGENCIES

PTCL launches ‘reconnect’campaignISLAMABAD: PakistanTelecommunication CompanyLimited (PTCL) has launched a newstrategic campaign enabling itscustomers to re-connect their closedlandline connections by just paying50% of the total PTCL outstandingamount without any additionalreconnection charges.

The PTCL “Reconnect LandlineLink” campaign features a creativejingle ‘Come on People, Come onPeople’, sung and performed byShahid Nazir known worldwide as“One Pound Fish Man”, thatcreatively depicts the affordabilityand reliability of PTCL landlinenetwork.

The Pakistani singer and internetsensation, Shahid Nazir, acclaimedinternational fame through his viral hitsong ‘One Pound Fish’. He has alsofeatured in the UK based internationalmusic show, X-Factor, and has recentlysigned a record deal with WarnerMusic. “PTCL believes in nurturing thelocal talent and this initiative is a partof our broader efforts towards creatingopportunities for the local talent toshowcase their abilities,” commentedFurqan Habib Qureshi,, PTCL SeniorExecutive Vice President (SEVP)Commercial. –AGENCIES

Sony to strike Microsoft with PS4TOKYO: Sony Corp is expected to showcase a new PlayStationconsole on Wednesday in a pre-emptive strike againstMicrosoft Corp's bid to make its Xbox the world's leading hubfor household entertainment. The rare PlayStation event inNew York comes amid industry speculation that Microsoft isset to unveil the successor to its Xbox 360, which beats theseven-year-old PlayStation 3's online network with featuressuch as voice commands on interactive gaming and superiorconnectivity to smartphones and tablets. "Their focus is onestablishing a beachhead for the next generation of consoles,and that's what February 20 is all about," said P.J. McNealy,CEO and founder of Digital World Research. "The reality isthey have been playing catch-up." Pushing ahead of Microsoft'sXbox and Nintendo Co Ltd's new Wii U could help Sony revivean electronics business hurt by a dearth of hit gadgets, acollapse in TV sales and the convergence of consumer interestaround tablets and smartphones built by rivals Apple Inc andSamsung Electronics Co Ltd. –AGENCIES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Lindsay demands big money to promote a drink in DubaiLOS ANGELES: Cash-strapped Lindsay Lohan is demanding half a million dollars for an energy drinkpromotional appearance in Dubai. But the troubled actress' latest legal woes could derail the planned trip,reported Radar Online. "Lindsay wants USD 500k for an appearance in Dubai to promote Mr Pink'sGinseng Energy Drink, which executives at the company are balking at. Mr Pink is prepared to offer theactress USD 200k, and would pay for all of Lohan's travel expenses," a source said. "However, the tripmight not happen at all because of Lindsay's criminal past and current pending criminal charges. Dubaihas very strict laws about convicted criminals entering the country, and Lindsay is still on probation for anecklace theft case. Lindsay is very upset about her financial woes and doesn't trust her new lawyer, MarkHeller, to handle the Dubai travel problem," the insider added. The 26-year-old starlet was forced to movefrom Los Angeles, back to New York, because she could no longer afford to pay the USD 8000 monthlyrent on her house. -SHOWBIZ DESK

Freida Pinto to host pre Oscar bashLOS ANGELES: "Slumdog Millionaire" star Freida Pinto will host aspecial pre Oscar party where she will promote the issue of girl childeducation. A week-long celebration leading up to the AcademyAwards by Vanity Fair magazine is one of the most attended and

sought after celebratory events and the 28-year-old beauty is the firstIndian origin actress to host the event. "When Vanity Fair approachedFreida to co-host the pre Oscar party with them she was more thanhappy to align with them and bring more attention to the 10X10 GirlRising initiative. She has always felt committed to this cause andwouldn't miss out on this opportunity," her spokesperson said in astatement. -SHOWBIZ DESK

SHOWBIZ DESKLONDON: George Osborne’s austeritycuts are only just beginning to bite andthe UK economy may be on the brinkof dropping in to an unprecedentedtriple-dip recession at any momentbut, ironically, over in British fashionland they’ve never had it so good. Onthe surface at least London FashionWeek is on the up, garnering the kindof global attention it has not had indecades. Dig a little deeper and it’sclear these are still tough times – UKretail sales dropped 0.6 per cent lastmonth and even handbag mega-brandMulberry saw profits fall 36 per centlast year but in terms of publicrelations, London Fashion Week hitthe jackpot this season.

First there was a small matter of theTom Ford show coming to town. Untilnow the one-man brand had kept hispresentations small and closelyguarded from the prying eyes of all buta few editors, but this time round hedecided to stage one of the swishestshows London has ever seen, completewith bucket loads of champagne, linesof flaming torches and an army ofblack-suited male models to usherguests to their gilt chairs in theGeorgian splendour of LancasterHouse. And the clothes? Well let’s justsay that Mr Ford’s take on global

fusion even managed to out-bling thesurroundings.

Add in the fact that Americandesigner L’Wren Scott also decided tomove from New York to London via apresentation in Paris last season with ashow that not only served up her ultra-glamorous, ultra-feminine designs(inspired by Gustav Klimt this season)but a shepherd’s pie lunch and hersignificant other Mick Jagger, and apretty impressive trend was emerging.It was only bolstered by luxury giantPPR’s recent acquisition of 51 per centof the buzzy Brit label ChristopherKane, which made London fashionsuddenly look bankable on aninternational scale. And indeed, MrKane’s upscaled, if overlong, collectionof camouflage prints, lace and outsizedcrystals shown on Monday wasimpressive. Still, as fashion moves intothe virtual sphere both in terms ofsheer click-to-buy selling and as aninstant global showcase realgeographical location is becoming lessand less relevant, as the London creware well aware. Hence the fact that “60per cent of London’s show are live-streamed”, says Caroline Rush, thechief executive of the British FashionCouncil, who works closely with newchairman and internet supremoNatalie Massenet. Leading the way, of

course, has been Burberry, and thisseason the big news was theintroduction of a personalised nametag that could be attached to variouspieces available to order direct fromthe catwalk.

Pity the same innovation had notbeen ploughed into the clothes,however: Christopher Bailey’s “TrenchKisses” collection of 20-plus variationson ye olde raincoat seemed rather thinon ideas, with the use of latex yes, hereally is pandering to the rubber macbrigade – and lots of heavy brassdetailing the only newsworthyadditions. (Not that Mr Bailey is alonein his rubber fixation; madcapMeadham Kirchoff likewise mixed theshiny black stuff with Victoriana tomore unsettling effect.) High streetgiant Topshop also embraced theonline experience, bolting on a wholehost of added extras to the livestreaming of its Topshop Unique showincluding “model cams” attached tostars Cara Delevingne and JourdanDunn, the better to reveal the nailvarnish (buyable straight from theshow) as well as the collection’s keythemes: shiny vinyl fabrics, slouchyknits and on-trend shades of soft pink,grey and black. And as for whatLondon used to be known for: cuttingedge creativity? There was plenty of

that too. Mary Katrantzou swappedwhimsy and eye-popping colour for asombre mood and ghostly Victorianlandscape prints to winning effect,while Erdem too embraced the darkwith an exquisite collection of mainlyblack dresses lifted with the odd hit ofsour green and blush pink. By contrast,Peter Pilotto flew the flag for colourwith signature print dresses, andJasper Conran, Paul Smith, JohnRocha and Matthew Williamson were

all thinking pink with neat sixtiesshifts, masculine tailoring, oversizedfelted wools and ombré effects inspiredby the northern lights respectively.

Married design duos Preen andClements Ribeiro both channelled apunk vibe, albeit with a very ladylikefinish, and Jonathan Saunders,Roksanda Ilincic and Henry Holland –as well as new girl Simone Rocha – allembraced the plastic fantastic. Finally,Richard Nicoll went for pared down

grey, as did JW Anderson with acollection of offbeat minimalism,Marios Schwab looked to pre-Raphaelite-velvet for gowns and Gilesand Osman went for gold. Mulberry,however, embraced the metalmetaphorically, by dramatically up-luxing its offering. The new Suffolk bagin Oxblood Alligator, shown on thecatwalk with the label’s chunky knitsand tweeds, will cost a cool £18,000when it hits store later in the year.

London Fashion Week hits PR jackpot this year�LWF is on the up, garnering of global attention it has not had it in decades

Models on the catwalk during the Maria Grachvogel autumn/winter 2013 London Fashion Week show.

LOS ANGELES: The teenage son of latepop star Michael Jackson has signed up tobe a correspondent for the "EntertainmentTonight" television show, following in thefootsteps of his show business family.Prince Jackson, 16, was to debut on"Entertainment Tonight", interviewingactors James Franco, Zach Braff anddirector Sam Raimi as they promote theirupcoming film "Oz the Great andPowerful," the program said. Prince, whowas born Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., isthe oldest of Michael Jackson's threechildren.

Jackson show that he wants toeventually get into the film business. "I'mlooking to become well-rounded as aproducer, director, screenwriter andactor," he said. Jackson's sister Parissigned up in 2011 to star in a movie called"Lundon's Bridge and the Three Keys,"based on a young adult fantasy novel. Thefilm is still in development. MichaelJackson died unexpectedly at his home inJune 2009 at age 50 from an overdose ofthe powerful anesthetic propofol andsedatives. -SHOWBIZ DESK

NEW YORK: Singer Lady Gaga is using awheelchair to move around afterundergoing a recent hip surgery. She haseven named her wheelchair, reports. “This isEmma,” Gaga tweeted along with a pictureof the wheelchair. The 26-year-old had tocancel her US tour at 25 places as she wasunable to walk due to an injury in her righthip. She was suggested to undergo asurgery. -SHOWBIZ DESK

Jackson's teenageson lands intelevision gig

Lady Gaga is in awheelchair afterhip surgery

SHOWBIZ DESK

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan stars in ZeroDark Thirty, from early scenes at adetention site to the dramatic closingminutes as Navy SEALs assault thehideout of Osama bin Laden. But theAcademy Award-nominated filmabout the hunt for the Al-Qaedaleader has sparked a controversy hereabout its portrayal of the country, andit will likely not be shown on the localbig screen anytime soon. Partly, thefilm taps into national discomfortthat bin Laden was found to be livingfor years near Pakistan's equivalent ofWest Point, and anger over the USdecision to enter its airspace and raidthe compound without givingadvance notice. Doubts aboutwhether bin Laden was really hidingout for years in the city of Abbottabadare also common across Pakistan, acountry where conspiracy theoriesoften have more weight than fact. ButPakistanis who have seen the film onDVD or Internet downloads are alsomaking much of what they say arefactual errors. Nadeem F Paracha, acultural critic in Pakistan, noted thatin some scenes characters speakArabic, whereas Pakistanis in factspeak Urdu or Pashto or one of thetens of other languages found here.In other scenes protesters get rightup to the US Embassy gates when in

reality the embassy is situated in anenclosed diplomatic enclave thatdemonstrators can't access. Somescenes that were supposed to showthe frontier city of Peshawar lookedmore like 19th century Delhi in India."How can you make a Hollywoodblockbuster, put in so much moneyand get simple things wrong?"Paracha asked. "Instead of the filmbeing taken seriously, it became ajoke among Pakistanis." The movietraces the arc of the CIA's decade-long hunt for bin Laden through theeyes of a young female analyst, whospends most of her time ostensibly inPakistan. Screenwriter Mark Boalvisited Pakistan to do research, but

the movie scenes were not shot here.One scene that also raises questionsshows a vaccination worker going tothe compound door as part of theAmerican plan to get DNA samplesfrom the bin Laden family. The USdid in fact run a fake hepatitiscampaign, but in the movie it'sportrayed as an attempt to vaccinateagainst polio. This could addsuspicion to polio workers alreadyfacing attacks by militants in thetribal agencies. Pakistan has only afew movie theaters that showEnglish-language films, and none sofar has aired Zero Dark Thirty.

All films shown at cinemas must beapproved by a board of censors, and

the head of the censor board, Dr.Raja Mustafa Hyder, said nodistributor has applied forpermission to show the film.Whether or not it would actuallymake it past the censor board isanother question, considering that arepresentative of the powerfulPakistani military sits on the board.After it came out that bin Laden hadbeen living in Abbottabad and thatthe military failed to detect theAmerican raiding party coming to gethim, the once-revered Pakistan armyfound itself on the defensive. The filmalso highlights the cooperationbetween the C.I.A. and Pakistan'sintelligence agency during the earlyyears after the Sept. 11, 2001 attackon the United States, a potentiallyembarrassing topic in a country withsuch vehement anti-Americansentiment.

Jamshed Zafar, one of the leadingimporters and distributors of foreignfilms in Pakistan, said he decidedafter discussions with friends that itwasn't worth importing "Zero DarkThirty." "If you get into suchcontroversy, you not only lose moneybut your reputation is also at stake,"he said. Any distributor or moviehouse that showed the movie mightalso be courting trouble with thepublic. Last year duringdemonstrations against an anti-

Islam film crowds of right-wingIslamic hardliners burned somemovie houses. The fact thatneighboring India Pakistan'sarchenemy substituted for many ofthe Pakistani street scenes has alsoraised concerns, said RashidKhawaja, a Lahore-based filmproducer and distributor.

Until recently it was possible topurchase a DVD of the film inIslamabad. But at least two stores inthe capital said in recent days thatthey stopped selling it because ofrumors it had been banned. Anotherstore was still selling the movie albeitunder the counter. In Abbottabad,the DVD is available at local videostores but hasn't sold particularlywell. "This movie is about Osamaand Abbottabad, and still I honestlysay people living here are notshowing much interest in it," saidAkhtar Hussain. Even in the citywhere people could hear the NavySEALs as they swooped in onhelicopters and flew away with binLaden's body, there's still disbelief hewas living so close. College studentRaheel Ahmed said he watched"Zero Dark Thirty" and came awaythinking the movie's intent was topraise President Barack Obama. "Idon't know whether Osama washere," he said, "but Americans havedefamed us by producing the movie."

Little audience for Zero Dark Thirty in Pakistan�Instead of the film being taken seriously, it became a joke among Pakistanis

SHOWBIZ DESK

MUMBAI: The latest gupshup around B’town is allabout the quiet little dinners; Ranbir Kapoor has beensharing with former flame Deepika Padukone. Oursources tell us that Ranbirand Dippy have sharedmany such privatedinner dates andmeetings, and wereeven snapped byshutterbugs on a few ofthese jaunts. This has notgone down well with KatrinaKaif, who B’town rumours suggest, Ranbir has beenseeing, after his break-up with Dippy. “Ranbir andDeepika may be working together in a film, but they have

been caught on camera, spending time together evenwhen they aren’t shooting,” our source shared. In a recentinterview, Ranbir had announced that he is answerable tohis family and no one else with respect to his personal

life. So where does that put hisrelationship with

Katrina? The buzzdoing the rounds inBollywood is thatRanbir and Kat had aheated argument over

these rumours.“Katrina has always been

clear about her equations.After her break-up with Salman Khan, she has maintainedher friendship with him. But her relationship with Ranbiris the priority. She expects the same,” our source adds.

SHOWBIZ DESK

MUMBAI: Even though SajidKhan is yet to confirm hisrelationship with JacquelineFernandez, the actor seems to bespending a lot of time with thedirector's family. The Race 2 starrecently attended the birthday ofFarah Khan's (Sajid's sister)triplets. And now, Farah is helpingJacqueline out by giving her adviceon styling and make-up. Jacquelinesays, "Farah is a close friend and Itake what she says seriously. Shehas made the actresses (in herfilms) look great, so I keep askingher for tips on styling, hair andmake-up every now and then." Theactor has previously worked with

Farah for a song in Housefull 2. "SoI've known her for quite sometime," adds Jacqueline, who wehave just found out will be doingan item number in Prabhudheva'snext directorial, Ramaiya VastaVaiya.

Ace designer Manish Malhotrawill be designing Jackie's costumesfor the film that will be producedby Kumar Taurani. So, is thechoreographer-turned-directorhelping her with some tips ondancing as well? "Unfortunately,no," says Jacqueline, smiling. AskFarah about their buddingfriendship and she says, modestly,"I'm very fond of Jacqueline. She'sa lovely girl. I'm just helping herout with whatever little I can."

Farah gives fashion tipsto Jacqueline Fernandez

Does dosti trouble Katrina?

NEW DEHLI: Having signed on to star in Imtiaz Ali's next projectHighway, actor Randeep Hooda says he can't wait to embark on the newjourney with the Rockstar director. Randeep, who was last seen in Murder3, said he is excited about working in the film as he admires Imtiaz as adirector. "I am very excited about working in Highway with Imtiaz. Iadmire him as a director. I have a lot of affection and reverence for himbecause he is such a nice guy. We will shoot the film at one go for 3-4months. I cannot wait to go away on this journey on the Highway. Ipersonally feel it is the most romantic film," Randeep said. His schedule ischoc-a-bloc these days, what with shooting for Karan Johar's short film aswell as Dharma Production's 'Ungli'. Randeep is also about to completefilming for 'Shooter', directed by Vishram Sawant. -SHOWBIZ DESK

Randeep excited to go onHighway with Imtiaz Ali

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Mayweather to faceGuerrero in May, inksnew TV dealLAS VEGAS:Unbeatenwelterweightfighter FloydMayweather saidTuesday that hewill face fellowAmerican RobertGuerrero on May4 as part of a new deal with telecastersCBS and Showtime. Mayweather, whopreviously had worked with rivaltelecaster HBO, called the new deal forup to six fights over 30 months thebiggest in boxing history, but saidfinancial details of the contract wereconfidential. Should all six fights takeplace and his pay-per-view averages ofmore than one million buys per bouthold steady, Mayweather claimed thedeal would be the largest for anindividual athlete in sports history.Mayweather, 43-0 with 26 knockouts,has not fought since taking aunanimous 12-round decision fromMiguel Cotto last May. Since then,Mayweather has served a 90-day jailsentence for domestic battery.Southpaw Guerrero, 31-1-1 with 18knockouts, has won 15 fights in a rowsince suffering his only loss, a 2005split-decision defeat at the hands ofMexico's Gamaliel Diaz. �AGENCIES

Thai veteran to open AsianTour golf season today

YANGON:Record-breakingThai veteranThawornWiratchant willhave the honourof hitting the firstdrive as golf 'sAsian Tour starts

its 10th season with the $300,000Zaykabar Myanmar Open onThursday. Thaworn, 46, holder of anunmatched 15 Asian Tour victories andthe winner of his second order of merittitle last year, will symbolically get theseason underway from the 10th tee."I've played on the Asian Tour for manyyears so I'm not feeling nervous aheadof the new 2013 season," said the worldnumber 78. "I want to keep going andimproving on my world ranking. Iwant to stay in the top 100. Golf is acycle. You don't expect to play good inevery tournament." �AGENCIES

Indian official expectsglobal ban to be liftedMUMBAI: IndianInternationalOlympicCommittee (IOC)member RandhirSingh is confidentthe world amateurboxing federation(AIBA) will soonlift its ban on the country's pugilists,the official told Reuters on Wednesday.The AIBA suspended the IndianAmateur Boxing Federation (IABF) inearly December for "possiblemanipulation" of its elections, in thewake of a wider Olympic ban that hassent shockwaves through sport in theSouth Asian country. Randhir, IndianOlympic Association (IOA) secretarygeneral during the previous regime,said he asked AIBA chief Wu Ching-kuo to lift the ban on the country'sboxers when he spoke to the Taiwaneseofficial on Tuesday. "I spoke to Wu andtold him that the boxers should not bemade to suffer for no fault of theirs,"Randhir said by phone. The IOAwas kicked out of the Olympicfamily for allowing governmentinterference in its Dec. 5 elections,which also saw a tainted officialbeing elected to a key post. �AGENCIES

Tour de France unveilsfunfest for centenary racePARIS: Organisers of the Tour deFrance unveiled plans on Tuesday aseries of celebrations to mark the 100thedition of the world's most famousbicycle race later this year. "We areoverflowing with projects," said racedirector Christian Prudhomme. Therace which starts for the first time inCorsica on June 29 and runs until July21, will take in some of France's mostfamous landmarks such as theChateaux de Versailles as well as MontBlanc, Mont Saint-Michel and theLoire region which are renowned fortheir chateaux. One of the highlightswill be the finish, which is expected tobe at approximately 1945GMT localtime and will include 500 of the 1400former Tour de France riders who arestill alive. There will also be a photoexhibition celebrating the 100 years ofthe Tour at the Luxembourg Gardensin Paris as well as a film to be releasedon June 12 about an amateur rider wholeaves one day before the peloton, afterhe was left by his wife and fired fromhis job. His popularity grows as he triesto stay ahead of the professionalsbefore being finally caught, but notafter a brief spell riding alongside theyellow jersey holder. �AGENCIES

NAPIER: Alastair Cook's patient knock of 78anchored a well-executed England run chase of270 to beat New Zealand by eight wickets inthe second one-day international at McLeanPark, levelling the three-match series at 1-1 onWednesday. England's bowlers, particularlyJames Anderson, had done a superb job todismiss New Zealand for 269 in 48.5 overs at asmall venue with short square boundaries,where a score of at least 300 was needed to seta competitive total.

Joe Root (79 not out) then picked up fromwhere Cook left off when the captain wasdismissed by Tim Southee, while JonathanTrott finished on 65 not out as England easilychased down the total for the loss of twowickets in 47.4 overs. England's victoryensured the series finale at Eden Park inAuckland on Saturday would be a decider afterNew Zealand won the first match in Hamiltonon Sunday by three wickets. New Zealand'sinnings was dominated by Ross Taylor's 100,his seventh one day international century, anda brutal 74 from 36 deliveries by captainBrendon McCullum, but it was well short of aground that consistently yields innings inexcess off 300. Taylor century: Taylor, who was dumped ascaptain by coach Mike Hesson in Decemberand chose not to tour South Africa, had barelyplayed any cricket since and had looked rustyin his return to the international scene. The 28-year-old took a little time to get into his strideand also curbed his attacking instincts toanchor the innings after Anderson and Finnhad put the hosts under immense pressure.Taylor combined with Kane Williamson (33) ina 72-run partnership, then 52 runs with GrantElliott (23) for the fourth wicket before thelatter was dismissed by Finn in the first over ofthe batting powerplay to leave New Zealandstruggling at 143-4 in the 36th over.McCullum, however, then thrashed nine foursand four sixes in a 44-minute knock thatincluded a 100-run partnership with Taylor, 77of which came in 5.5 overs. McCullum'sdismissal then sparked a collapse with the finalfive wickets falling for 26 runs as Andersonreturned to mop up the tail and finished withimpressive figures of five for 34. �AGENCIES

Cook sparkles as Englandscore easy win over Kiwis

Ian Bell of England bats against New Zealand during their second one-day international at McLean Park onWednesday. �AGENCIES

SCOREBOARDNEW ZEALAND INNINGSB Watling c Cook b Anderson 7H Rutherford c Cook b Anderson 11K Williamson b Woakes 33R Taylor c Buttler b Anderson 100G Elliott c Bairstow (sub) b Finn 23B McCullum c Woakes b Broad 74J Franklin c Root b Woakes 1N McCullum c Buttler b Anderson 7T Southee b Woakes 2K Mills not out 3T Boult c Woakes b Anderson 1EXTRAS: (LB 3, W 3, NB 1) 7TOTAL: (all out; 48.5 overs) 269FALL OF WICKETS: 1-12, 2-19, 3-91, 4-143, 5-243, 6-245,7-254, 8-261, 9-267, 10-269BOWLINGAnderson 9.5-2-34-5Finn 10-1-33-1Woakes 10-0-68-3Broad 9-0-69-1

Swann 10-0-62-0ENGLAND INNINGSA Cook c&b Southee 78I Bell c Rutherford b Williamson 44J Trott not out 65J Root not out 79EXTRAS: (LB 1, W 3) 4TOTAL: (2 wickets; 47.4 overs) 270FALL OF WICKETS: 1-89, 2-149BOWLINGMills 6.4-0-43-0Boult 9-1-55-0Franklin 5-0-32-0Southee 9-0-54-1N McCullum 10-0-46-0Williamson 8-0-39-1.Toss: England and elected to bowlUmpires: Gary Baxter (NZL), S Ravi (IND)Third umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS)Match Referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

OUR STAFF REPORTER

LAHORE: All-rounders Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik have made acomeback to Pakistan's ODI squad for the series in South Africa, afterbeing omitted for the tour of India in December last year. Batsman AsadShafiq and spinner Abdur Rehman are the other inclusions for the five-match series that begins on March 10.

The players left out from the ODI squad that went to India were AnwarAli, Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail and Zulfiqar Babar. There is only one changeto the Twenty20 squad, with Wahab Riaz replacing Sohail Tanvir, whowas part of the team that had travelled to India. ODI squad: Misbahul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, NasirJamshed, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, UmarAkmal, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan,Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Imran Farhat, Abdur Rehman. Twenty20 squad: Mohammad Hafeez, NasirI Jamshed, Shoaib Malik,Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, MohammadIrfan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Amin, ZulfiqarBabar, Asad Ali, Junaid Khan.

Pakistan names ODI, T20squads for South Africa � Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik make comeback

DUBAI: World number four Agnieszka Radwanska overcamea misfiring serve to beat Kazakh teenager Yulia Putintseva 7-56-3 in the second round of the Dubai women's tennischampionships on Wednesday. The Pole, who received a first-round bye, lost three of her first four service games on anovercast centre court and she will need to improve if she isretain her Dubai title, with Petra Kvitova or Ana Ivanovicawaiting her in the next round. "For me, the first match isalways a bit tricky," Radwanska told reporters. "I didn't hit onthe centre court here this year, and I was just practising outside– it was actually much faster. I was surprised – the ball is justnot going anywhere and it was tough for me."

Serving at 3-3, Radwanska saved four break points afterfalling 0-40 behind, but Putintseva was undeterred and sheearned another break point with a forehand winner downthe line that fizzed past the advancing Pole. Rattled, the2012 Wimbledon finalist double-faulted to fall 4-3 behind.Radwanska, 23, responded by coming to the net morefrequently to force Putintseva, ranked 101 in the world, toplay on the back foot. The Kazakh, seeking her third victoryover a top-50 player, was found wanting and Radwanskabroke for 4-4, with six out of eight games going againstserve. Putintseva, who beat Britain's Laura Robson in anall-teenage first-round battle, prefers brute force overfinesse and although a fast hitter, she consistently playedthe ball too short, allowing Radwanska to stay in rallies withrelative ease.

The Pole was too out of sorts to fully exploit heropponent's shortcomings but as the overcast sky gave wayto a muggy desert sun she also upped the playingtemperature on court, earning two set points with a flatforehand winner down the line. She needed only one as atempestuous Putintseva smashed an attempted winnerlong. Radwanska's greater pedigree – she has 12 tour singlestitles to her name, while Putintseva has never made itbeyond the second round of a tournament – eventually told,and she won five of the last six games. "In the very importantmoments a bit of experience is always good to have," addedRadwanska. Former world number one Caroline Wozniackirouted Chinese qualifier Jie Zheng 6-0 6-1, while Russianveteran Nadia Petrova had a similar romp against Spain'sCarla Suarez Navarro, winning 6-1 6-0. �AGENCIES

Defending champ Radwanskainto Dubai Open quarterfinals

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska serves the ball toKazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva during their WTA Dubai Openmatch on Wednesday. �AGENCIES

FIRDOSE MOONDA

One thing was evident aboutPakistan's mood when theyleft Cape Town for

Johannesburg (and ultimatelyCenturion) on Tuesday: they wererelaxed. Many of them, includingSaeed Ajmal, Umar Gul and YounisKhan, cradled babies, while the restchatted and milled about like a tourgroup off on their next adventure.

Most of their squad are on theirfirst trip to South Africa and seemto be enjoying it despite defeat inthe Test series. They know theyhave nothing but furtherimprovement to gain and thedifference between theirperformance at the Wanderers andtheir showing at Newlandsindicates the learning process istaking shape. Pakistan should becareful not get too comfortable with

the upward curve, though, becauseSuperSport Park has been a snakepit for sub-continent sides and afortress for South Africa.

None of India, Pakistan or SriLanka have ever won a match at thevenue while it also challenges boththe Wanderers and Newlands forstatus as the home of South Africancricket. In results terms, the titlebelongs to SuperSport Park. Sincethe ground came into existenceafter readmission, South Africahave lost on it only once to make ittheir most successful home venue.England are the only other team tohave tasted victory in Centurion –theirs came in the 2000 Test inwhich both sides agreed to forfeitan innings and the result becamefamous for other reasons.

But the sub-continental recordreads like a sorry saga. Sri Lankahave been defeated four times atand India and Pakistan once each.

The last two teams beaten at thevenue, India and Sri Lanka, weredealt innings defeats and SouthAfrica have won five of the lasteight Tests in Centurion by such amargin. Reasons for their success atCenturion are simple. It is a typicalSouth African surface that offers

plenty for the quicks and turnsbatting into a challenge were onlythe toughest survive.

The same can be expected thistime with the pitch a familiarshade of green a day and halfbefore game time. But the threat

has often been enough to unsettlevisiting sides especially becauseSuperSport Park has often hostedthe first Test of a series and theyhave yet to find their feet. Coupledwith the mental effects of seeing apitch that two days before thematch is only briefly

distinguishable from the outfield,teams have been skittled out.

In four of the last five Test atSuperSport Park, the first inningstotal was 250 or less and Kirstenexpected the par score to hoveraround there again. Pakistan have

had three weeks to shift theirmindset and the demons that facemany visiting teams at Centurionshould not affect them in the sameway. Their first Test nerves weresettled three weeks ago at theWanderers where they did not evenhave to front up first on a trickypitch. Graeme Smith chose to batfirst to get the series underway andSouth Africa had to survive bowlerfriendly conditions.

At Newlands they gave SouthAfrica the ‘big battle’ Kirsten saidthey expected and now they havethe chance to take that one stepfurther. Problems against the new-ball remain but one thing they canhope for at Centurion is that theirbowlers, and Mohammed Irfan inparticular, will be able to take asmuch advantage of the surface asSouth Africa's attack. Words thatwill give Pakistan reason to snapout of any relaxation pretty quickly.

Centurion will test Pakistan’s learning

Although defeat in the series, Pakistan put in amuch-improved display at Newlands on a surfacethat was more favourable to their game.However, coming back to the Highveld will be adifferent story again

KUALA LUMPUR: Football authoritiesvowed Wednesday to excise the "cancer" ofmatch-fixing but said tougher laws wereneeded worldwide to smash criminalsyndicates suspected of rigging hundreds ofmatches. FIFA's director of security RalfMutschke told a two-day gathering withInterpol that the world governing body's"zero tolerance" for match-fixing must bebuttressed by "the right policies for lawenforcement and the football community".

The meeting follows revelations afortnight ago that gambling gangstargeted almost 700 matches worldwide,including Champions League ties andWorld Cup qualifiers. "We are banningplayers and referees for life but criminalsare out there free – they get no sentence.That's wrong," Mutschke told reporterswhen asked to comment on Singapore'srefusal to arrest a key suspect wanted inItaly and suspected of rigging games. "Wehave to bring in governments to changelegislation and laws. Many countries donot have laws to fight matchmanipulation," Mutschke said. He pointedto the November acquittal of three playersin Switzerland accused of committingfraud by throwing games, where a judgesaid there was no obvious victim.

Mutschke said FIFA was cooperatingwith the Council of Europe to draftlegislation to fight match-fixing, with hopesit would be implemented across thecontinent. FIFA's legal team will also pressthe case at a May meeting of national sportsministers in Berlin where match-fixing isdue to be discussed, he said. About 150delegates from Asian football associations,player and referee representatives andgovernment agencies are meeting in theMalaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, hometo the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)."We are ready to work hand-in-hand toeradicate this cancer from the game. AFCwill not rest until this plague is completelystamped out in Asia," the AFC's actingpresident Zhang Jilong said in a speech.

But he later admitted to AFP thateradication "could be difficult, especially inAsia", where gambling is widespread andflourishing. �AGENCIES

FIFA calls forstrict anti-matchfixing laws

President signsFair Trial ‚ TOs billsISLAMABAD: President Asif AliZardari has signed the Fair Trial Bill2012. The Bill has already beenpassed by both the Houses ofParliament. The Fair Trial Billauthorizes the state to interceptprivate communications in order tocatch terrorists. The bill becamecontroversial because certain quartersfelt it would pose a threat to people’sprivacy and civil liberties. ThePresident also signed TradeOrganizations Bill 2012 providing forthe registration and regulation oftrade organizations. -ONLINE

Three-day strike beginsin Held KashmirSRINAGAR: Most shops andbusinesses were shut onWednesday in Held Kashmir afterseparatists called for a three-daystrike to demand the return of thebody of a Kashmiri man secretlyexecuted and buried in the Indiancapital. The strike beganWednesday and authoritiesimposed a ban on the assembly ofmore than four people to preventprotests in the region. -AGENCIES

Fazl denies anycontact with TalibanPESHAWAR: JUI-F Chief MaulanaFazlur Rehman Wednesday denied anycontact with the Taliban for holdingtalks. Talking to reporters, the JUI-FAmeer said neither Taliban contactedhim nor he made contact them to holddialogues. Commenting on Qatar talks,he said he got information regardingtalks with Taliban from newspapers.“Without agenda how this is possiblethat talks would be held with Taliban.”Fazl said those creating unrest in thecountry want to postpone upcomingelections. -ONLINE

Karachi Rangersʼ powersextended for 3 monthsKARACHI: The special powers ofRangers have been extended forfurther three months in Karachi.Sindh Government issued anotification on Wednesday forextension of Rangers’ special powersof search, raids, arrests and probing asuspect whenever and where everrequired. The paramilitary troops areperforming special task ofmaintaining law and order andproviding security along with thepolice force in Karachi. -ONLINE

17 insurgents killedin Khyber, OrakzaiJAMRUD/HANGU: Some 17insurgents were killed and many othersinjured in shelling and bombing bysecurity forces and jet fighters inKhyber and Orakzai tribal agencies,official sources said on Wednesday.Forces continued artillery shelling by jetfighters against the militants’ bases inTirah Valley of Khyber Agency. Securityforces hit the positions of banned terroroutfits in Doh Toi area in near Jamrud.Official sources claimed that 9 militantswere killed and several others injured inthe shelling. Meanwhile, eight militantswere killed in the jetfighters’ strikesnear Hangu in Orakzai Agency. -ONLINE

Musharraf elaborateshis ʻachievementsʼISLAMABAD: Gen (r) PervezMusharraf has released arecollection of his days in office tooutline his achievements from 2000to 2008 by comparing the economy,energy, education, cultural heritage,telecom, industry, agriculture andabove all democracy of his timeswith the present scenario. Thepaper released by the localinformation office of the formerdictator reveals how he managedinternal and external threats facedby the country by controllingKarachi, Balochistan, Taliban andother issues. –STAFF REPORTER

THURSDAYFEBRUARY 21, 2013THE SPOKESMAN - RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD

OUR STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD: Amidst PML-Nopposition on constitutional andpolitical grounds, the SenateStanding Committee on Law andJustice on Wednesday approvedwith majority the 24thAmendment Bill, 2013 forcreation of Bahawalpur-JanoobiPunjab province comprisingterritories of Multan,Bahawalpur and Dera GhaziKhan Divisions and the Districtsof Mianwali and Bhakkar.

The government is likely to tablethe Bill in Senate in the next week.

PML-N opposed the Bill, sayingthat no provision existed in theconstitution for formulation of anew province; rather, it onlyallows alteration in the boundariesof the existing provinces.Rejecting the parliamentarycommittee’s report, Senator RajaZafarul Haq of the PML-N statedthat there is no constitutionalbacking for formulation of newprovinces, saying that article 239of the Constitution only describesthe procedure of changes in theboundaries of provinces. Haq saidin Indian constitution, Article 3empowers their parliament to

form new provinces. He said it wasincomplete proposal because someother proposed provinces were notincluded in the Bill. The PML-Nalso presented Punjab assembly’scondemnation resolution in thisregard. PML-N representativesalso said that the people ofMianwali and Bhakkar districtsstaged protests against includingthem in the proposed BJPprovince. He said politicalobjectives led the ruling PPP tomove the bill for creation ofnew province.

The ruling party’s legal wizardsalso backed the point of view of

Raja Zafrul Haq to a great extent.Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan of the PPPsaid a new province could not beformulated under the constitutionuntil Article 239 of theConstitution is amended.Referring to the said Article,Aitzaz held that there was vastdifference in “alteration’ and‘creation’. He added if the bill forthe formation of a new provincewas presented in the house underthe present scenario, it can bechallenged in the court. LawMinister Farooq H Naek however,stated that the constitution did notprohibit formation of new

provinces. An amendment inArticle 239 (4) is also proposed inthe constitutional amendment billso as to replace ‘alteration’ ofboundaries of the provinces with‘creation’ of new provinces.

JUI-F senator Maulana AbdulGhafoor Haidri said that DeraGhazi Khan and Rajan Purdistricts should be included inBalochistan province, as theseareas were previously part of theprovince. MQM also expressedits reservation over PPP’s move,saying that why Hazara Divisionwas not being given the status ofa province.

Senate panel passes Bahawalpur-Janoobi Punjab Bill

OUR STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD: ElectionCommission of Pakistan (ECP) hasconstituted a committee to identifytax evaders, loan and utility billdefaulters and beneficiaries ofwritten off loans to prevent themfrom running in the upcomingelections.

Chief Election Commissioner

(CEC) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahimchaired an election commissionmeeting in this regard onWednesday. The meeting was alsoattended by the State BankGovernor Yaseen Anwar, theFederal Board of Revenue (FBR)chief Ali Arshad Hakeem, andNational Accountability Bureau(NAB) and National Database andRegistration Authority (NADRA)

officials. According to sources, itwas decided that a mechanismwould be developed by a committeecomprising these five institutionsto identify those who were taxevaders or bank defaulters. Suchculprits would subsequently bedisqualified from candidacy in thepolls. At a press conference heldafter the meeting, the SBPgovernor and FBR chief said full

cooperation would be provided tothe Election Commission for freeand fair elections. Tax and assetdetails of election candidates willbe available to the ECP via onlineaccess, they assured. NAB DirectorGeneral Sher Afghan said that therecords of all those investigated bythe NAB will be provided to theECP. Meanwhile, ECP SecretaryIshtiaq Ahmed Khan said the

Election Commission wants theprocess of scrutiny to be completedin 30 days but there areconstitutional problems as SenateCommittee has recommended 14days instead. “So the process will becompleted within 14 days.”

He said there is a need to bringchanges in the nomination papers.“Summary in this regard will soonbe sent to the Law Ministry.”

OUR STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinetWednesday rejected a PetroleumMinistry summary calling for the Oiland Gas Regulatory Authority(OGRA) to be placed under theministry.

Ogra and the Petroleum Ministryhave been at loggerheads overwhether the regulatory authorityshould fall under its purview or not.Last week, Prime Minister’s Adviseron Petroleum and NaturalResources Dr Asim Hussain andOgra Chairman Saeed Ahmad Khanexchanged harsh words during ameeting of a parliamentarycommittee.

The PM’s adviser had urgedparliament to abolish the‘redundant’ regulator to stave off thecountry’s bankruptcy while the Ograchief described it as part of acampaign to punish the regulator forits refusal to condone inefficiencyand losses of gas utilities.

The cabinet also offered Fateha forthe victims of Saturday’s blast inHazaraTown, Quetta.

Prime Minister Raja PervezAshraf, who was chairing the cabinet

session, said the country must standunited against terrorism. He saidmeasures will be taken to ensure theprotection of all citizens.

"Pakistan continues to confrontcourageously the menace ofterrorism and we will continue tofight till it is wiped out," he said. Hecontended that negotiations withHazara community in Quetta hadbeen successful because of the effortsof the parliamentary committee.

He said a wrong impression wasbeing created by the enemies of thedemocracy that the government hadnot done anything during the lastfive years. "In fact, the governmenthas taken all possible measures forimprovement in the law and ordersituation and economy despite manyconstraints," he said.

The cabinet also approved the2013 Haj policy, according to which180,000 Pakistanis will perform thepilgrimage this year. Applicationsare to be accepted on a first come,first serve basis.

In addition, the cabinet approveda bill in connection with crackingdown on Improvised ExplosiveDevices (IEDs). The bill is to bepresented soon in Parliament.

PM for united stand against terror

Govt refuses toclip OGRA wingsTAHIR NIAZ

ISLAMABAD: Leaving the burningissue of terrorism and Hazara killingsin the middle, the legislators in theNational Assembly on Wednesdaypreferred bashing the ElectionCommission of Pakistan (ECP) forintroducing new ‘rules of the game’.

The legislators from treasury as wellas opposition sans MQM took theECP move of introducing new patternof 6-page nomination paper forgeneral elections and direction forverification of degrees as an insult tothe respected members with fewterming it an intentional attempt bythe ECP to disqualify majority of thesitting parliamentarians.

It was Leader of Opposition ChNisar Ali Khan who prompted hisfellow colleagues to stand againstwhat he dubbed as influenced ECP,saying it has been acting on the‘advice’ of PTI and Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri.He objected to the tone and tenor of a

letter written by the ECP to 249 plusone (Nisar) sitting MPs. “Is this theway to interact with parliamentarianI will refuse to entertain this kind ofletter, let the ECP disqualify me”, heannounced in the house.

Nisar refused to submit his “O-Level” and “A-Level” certificatesunless the ECP withdraws the letter.Law minister Farooq H Naek alsosupported Nisar’s stance by sayingthat ECP was on a witch-huntingmission against the legislators addingthat it has no right to write letters tothe MPs for verification of degrees butas he, taking advantage of thesituation, tried to put other issues onthe list of ‘reservations against theECP’, leader of the opposition clarifiedthat ECP has done nothingunconstitutional, rather it shouldadopt a rational approach for scrutinyof the candidates. Naek had alsocriticized the ECP for putting a ban onrelease of grants to the barassociations.

MQM leader Farooq Sattar,however, supported ECP strategy forstrict scrutiny of the candidates,saying it makes no difference if one isneat and clean.

PML-Q’s Raza Hayat Hirajcriticized the ECP in severe possibleterms, saying it would be impossiblefor the candidates to share familydetails with the ECP. “We are willingto cross all the bridges the ECP lays inour way but the mechanism forscrutiny must be logical and realistic”,he demanded. He also suggestedformation of a parliamentarycommittee to take up the issue withthe ECP. MNA Riaz Fatyana alsosupported the stance of leader of theopposition and also criticized the ECPfor banning recruitment process inthe ministries.

The house also passed the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) bill, 2013 toaddress the shortcomings relating toterrorist financing provisions in theAnti-terrorism Act, 1997.

ECP’s new ‘rules of thegame’ under fire in NA

ECP sets up committee to identify defaultersAMRITSAR:British PrimeMinister DavidCameron visitedthe site of acolonial-eramassacre inIndia onWednesday,describing theepisode as“deeply shameful” while stopping short of apublic apology.

On the last leg of a three-day trip aimedat forging deeper economic ties, Camerontook the bold decision to visit the city ofAmritsar and tackle an enduring scar ofBritish rule on the subcontinent. Dressed ina dark suit and bowing his head, he laid awreath at the memorial to the victims atJallianwala Bagh, where British troopsopened fire on thousands of unarmedprotesters in 1919.

In a message in the visitors’ book, hewrote: “This was a deeply shamefulevent in British history and one thatWinston Churchill rightly declared atthe time as ‘monstrous’. We must neverforget what happened here. And inremembering we must ensure that theUK stands up for the right of peacefulprotest around the world.”

Cameron is the first serving primeminister to visit the site, but not the firstsenior British public figure.

In 1997, the Queen also laid a wreath at asite during a tour of India, but her gaffe-prone husband Prince Philip stole theheadlines by reportedly saying that theIndian estimates for the death count were“vastly exaggerated”. –AGENCIES

� SBP, FBR, NAB, NADRA assure full support � EC bound by law for scrutiny in 14 days

SOFIA: Bulgarian PrimeMinister Boyko Borisovtendered hisgovernment's resignationWednesday after eightdays of nationwideprotests over high energybills, his office said.

The protests againstsoaring electricity billshave morphed into widerdiscontent over austerityand the way the country isbeing run, the officialBulgarian News Agencyreported. Parliament willvote Thursday on whetherto accept the Cabinet'sresignation, thegovernment said. –AGENCIES

High energy bills

BulgarianPM resignsamid protests

DERAALLAHYAR: Pir of Qamber Sharif Syed Ghulam Hussain Shah seen in a car after a remote-controlled bomb blast near his vehiclewhich killed his grandson and injured 5 others. –ONLINE

Cameron ‘shameful’of Jallianwala Baghincident

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov leaves parliament after announcing resignation. –ONLINE

IT AINʼT HAPPENING IN PAKISTAN

JACOBABAD: The grandson of SyedGhulam Hussain Shah, the Pir ofQambar Sharif, was killed and fiveother were injured on Wednesdaywhen a bomb went off near a religiousrally in Jacobabad, officials said.

According to sources, the blastripped through of gathering ofGhulam Hussain Shah in GothAhmed Din Brohi of the district.

According to police, the blastoccurred soon after the Pir ofQambar Sharif, who has millions offollowers in Sindh and Balochistan,arrived at the site of the gatheringbut he remained unharmed.

Police said Shafiq Hussain Shah,his grand-son, who was wounded inthe blast, succumbed to his injuriesin hospital. –AGENCIES

Grandson of atop Pir killed in blast

� PML-N opposes legislation on constitutional, political grounds � Bill to land in Senate next week

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